Both Cardiff City and Fulham were relegated from the Championship, on an afternoon of twists and turns in the Premier League.
Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s side knew only a win would do following results elsewhere, however they slipped out of the top flight after losing 3-0 away at Newcastle United.
Goals from Shola Ameobi, Loic Remy and Steven Taylor confirmed their relegation back to the second tier of English football, a year after winning promotion as champions.
It has been an odd season in South Wales, with Vincent Tan stealing most of the headlines, with the Malaysian owner replacing popular boss Malkey Mackay with the in-experienced Ole Gunner Solskjaer, who could not stop the clubs relegation.
The Cardiff boss confident about Cardiff’s chances of a return next season.
“Before this year we had four seasons at the top of the Championship,” Solskjaer said.
“Now we have gone down and taken a step back, next season will be about showing character and bouncing straight back.”
“I have a contract,” Solskjaer added. “We have had meetings. Of course I am just planning for the next game right now, and then I will be planning forward.
“I always knew it was going to be a tough job but we have stuck at it. We have been unlucky at times, and we have done well at times.
“Against Newcastle, we played really well and created a massive amount of great chances, but we just didn’t take them.”
Solksjaer added.
“I have a contract,”We have had meetings. Of course I am just planning for the next game right now, and then I will be planning forward.
“I always knew it was going to be a tough job but we have stuck at it. We have been unlucky at times, and we have done well at times.
“Against Newcastle, we played really well and created a massive amount of great chances, but we just didn’t take them.”
The Bluebirds will be joined by Fulham, who also suffered relegation.
Fulham also knew that they needed a positive result at Stoke City for them to have any chance of survival, though they went down 4-1 at the Britannia, which sealed their fate.
It has also been a season of turmoil at Craven Cottage, with the West Londoners having three managers this season, however Felix Magath could not to enough to keep the Lilywhites up.
The hammering at Stoke means that they drop into the second tier for the first time since 2001.
Kostas Mitroglou was signed for £12 million, though he has been a real flop for Magath’s side.
Fulham will be hoping for a similar campaign to their last in the second tier, as they came up as Champions.
Manager Felix Magath stated following the relegation.
“There was no reason for that performance – it’s the worst game since I’ve been here,” said the German, who replaced Rene Meulensteen in February.
“You can never say any player would like to see relegation, but they didn’t fight enough, especially today.”
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
