Fulham, Cardiff City relegated following losses

Fulham and Cardiff City will not be playing in the Premier League next season.

A trio of results on Saturday consigned the two clubs to relegation with just one week remaining on their respective schedules.

Fulham, who made a valiant effort to avoid the drop since the appointment of Felix Magath as manager, were unable to undo the early-season damage, as a comprehensive 4-1 loss to Stoke City was the final nail in the Cottagers' coffin.

Cardiff, meanwhile, dropped a 3-0 decision to Newcastle, officially putting an end to a campaign hampered by drama, scandal and the sideshow that was owner Vincent Tan.

The two losses on their own were not enough to push the pair down to the second division, however. For that, they can thank Sunderland, who secured the fate of their relegation rivals by scoring a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

As a result, the Black Cats sit on 35 points (with two matches remaining), while Fulham have collected only 31 points and Cardiff just a measly 30. With the latter two having just one game left on their schedule, they have mathematically run out of time to get out of the relegation zone.

Math can be so very cruel.

Sunderland now look destined for safety after a vital run that has seen them collect 10 of a possible 12 points in the last four weeks, as only Norwich can overtake them.

Unfortunately for the Canaries, they will need to collect the maximum points from Chelsea and Arsenal in their final two games of the season, while Sunderland play West Brom and Swansea knowing that the great escape is within reach.

Gus Poyet might be a magician.