Newcastle slip out of Premiership in day of drama

The unthinkable happened as Newcastle slipped out of The Premier League on a dramatic final day of Premier League action.

Alan Shearer could not produce the miracle his army of faithful followers craved as The Magpies lost 1-0 to Aston Villa, joining Middlesbrough in The Championship after Gareth Southgate's men went down 2-1 to West Ham.

Tyne-Tees despair spelt ecstasy for Hull and Sunderland though, who clung on to their Premier League status by the skin of their teeth despite losses to Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.

Elsewhere, Fulham will march into the newly-formed Europa League next season after Tottenham lost to Liverpool 3-1.

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Not since Leeds went into financial meltdown has there been such a major Premier League casualty, after Newcastle failed to pick up the point needed to drag themselves out the bottom three. On a nerve-jangling final day, Damien Duff's unfortunate deflection from Gareth Barry's wild shot proved to be the unlucky dagger to the heart that summed up Newcastle's season. Backed by their army of fans, The Magpies threw on Michael Owen late on to grab a crucial equaliser, but it wasn't to be as Shearer must now contemplate a potential future in The Championship.
Match report / Stats&Ratings

Hull and Phil Brown ended the day singing in utter joy as they stayed up, despite losing 1-0 to Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson risked the wrath of a potential national outcry by fielding a totally second-string XI, but Darron Gibson's wonder strike was enough to make sure the champions' integrity remained intact, while Hull had done enough before kick-off.
Match report / Stats&Ratings

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