Cardiff City relegated following home defeat to Crystal Palace

Cardiff City will join Fulham and Huddersfield Town in the Championship next season.

Neil Warnock's Bluebirds were beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace on Saturday, therefore confirming their immediate return to the second rung in front of their own fans.

It's been a tough campaign for Cardiff. Some of Warnock's touchline protestations have been understandable - his side has fallen victim to some questionable refereeing decisions, such as Cesar Azpilicueta's offside equalizer in March's loss to Chelsea - but the biggest setback was undoubtedly the tragic death of Emiliano Sala. The Argentinian striker joined Cardiff for a club-record fee in January, but he perished in a plane crash a few days later.

Cardiff put in a valiant effort during the weekend's defeat. Nevertheless, their equalizer through a Martin Kelly own goal and Bobby Reid's late consolation were false dawns. Goals from Wilfried Zaha, Michy Batshuayi, and Andros Townsend ultimately put the Eagles out of reach, and induced tears from some attending the match in the Welsh capital.

Warnock remains an immensely popular figure at the Cardiff City Stadium following last season's improbable promotion from the Championship, and he threw his jacket into the crowd while doing a lap of honor after the final whistle.

The veteran manager will line up his players for their final match of the season at Manchester United on May 12.