Fulham, Cardiff relegated from Premier League

 Fulham and Cardiff City were relegated from the Premier League onSaturday after defeats in their penultimate games of the season left them unable toreach safety.Fulham's 13-year run in the English top flight was ended by a 4-1 defeat at StokeCity, while Cardiff went straight back down to the Championship following a 3-0loss at Newcastle United.Both sides' fates were sealed by fourth-bottom Sunderland's unexpected 1-0 win atManchester United, which took Gus Poyet's side four points above Fulham and fivepoints clear of bottom club Cardiff.Sunderland can secure their own survival by winning their game in hand at home toWest Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, although they will effectively be safe ifNorwich City lose at Chelsea on Sunday.Peter Odemwingie put Stoke ahead in the 39th minute against Fulham at theBritannia Stadium, converting from close range after Stephen Ireland's shot hit thebar.Marko Arnautovic made it 2-0 nine minutes into the second half, slamming a first- time effort into the roof of the net from Odemwingie's pass.Further goals from Oussama Assaidi and substitute Jonathan Walters sealedFulham's fate, with Kieran Richardson replying in vain for the visitors."I've never been relegated until today," said Fulham manager Felix Magath. "I feelvery sad. I have to apologise for not managing the situation. The club asked me tocome. I tried."Regarding today, the only thing I can imagine is there was too much pressure forthe players. There was no reason for that performance -- it's the worst game sinceI've been here." Shola Ameobi, Loic Remy and Steven Taylor scored the goals for Newcastle thatcondemned Cardiff toanimmediate return to the second tier after their promotionfrom the Championship last year.Newcastle's win ended a run of six successive defeats and came despite a mass fanwalkout in the 69th minute in protest at the club's management."The realisation that we're down is one of the most bitter disappointments of bothmine and many of the players' careers," said Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.- United's seventh home defeat -Cardiff and Fulham succumbed to relegation despite both changing their managersduring the campaign.Solskjaer succeeded the sacked Malky Mackay in January, while Magath is Fulham'sthird head coach after Martin Jol and Rene Meulensteen.Sunderland's success at Old Trafford, in Ryan Giggs's second game as United'sinterim manager, was their third victory in a row and followed a 2-1 win at Chelseatwo weeks ago.Sebastian Larsson scored the game's only goal on the half hour, steering in fromConnor Wickham's pass to condemn United to a 12th league defeat of the campaign;seven of which have come at home.United last lost seven league games in the 1973-74 campaign, when they wererelegated to the old Division Two."I feel flat. The players were flat and I don't know why," said Giggs."We've had a problem at home all season. It's not been good enough."United's defeat means that Tottenham Hotspur remain in pole position to securesixth place, and with it Europa League qualification, despite having lost 2-0 at WestHam United earlier in the day.Tottenham centre-back Younes Kaboul was sent off in the 25th minute for a last-man foul on Stewart Downing and after a Harry Kane own goal gave West Ham thelead, Downing made it 2-0 with a free-kick.Spurs continue to lead United by six points, having played a game more.Elsewhere, Andreas Weimann scored twice as Aston Villa won 3-1 at home to FA Cupfinalists Hull City, while Southampton striker Rickie Lambert scored a 93rd-minutewinner in a 1-0 victory at Swansea City.Later on Saturday, Manchester City can take over from Liverpool at the top of thetable on goal difference by winning at fifth-place Everton.Liverpool's 2-0 loss at home to Chelsea last weekend means that City will effectivelybe assured of winning the title -- barring an improbable goal difference swing -- ifthey win their last three fixtures. Source: AFP