Hull City 0-1 Burnley
BURNLEY WERE RELEGATED from the Premier League on Saturday, despite a 1-0 victory at fellow strugglers Hull City.
Sean Dyche’s men headed to the KC Stadium knowing only a win would be enough to keep their slim survival hopes alive and Danny Ings’ first goal in 11 matches ensured they kept their end of the bargain.
However, wins elsewhere for Leicester City and Sunderland, as well as a draw for Newcastle United, consigned Burnley to the Championship after one season in the top flight. Robbie Brady hit the crossbar as Hull looked most likely to find the net in the first half, but Burnley’s need for three points began to tell during a frantic second half.
The visitors eventually went ahead through Ings after 62 minutes, before Brady found the woodwork again with another free-kick. Hull were unable to find an equaliser, though, and sit two points adrift of safety with two matches left to play.
Leicester City 2-0 Southampton
Leicester City claimed a sixth win in seven Premier League matches, with Riyad Mahrez scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over Southampton.
Riyad Mahrez’s first goals since December continued Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League revival with a 2-0 triumph over Southampton. Algeria winger Mahrez struck twice during the first half to thrill a raucous King Power Stadium and secure a sixth win in seven matches for Leicester.
For Southampton, another lacklustre performances meant a sixth loss in their past 11 games, although defeat for Tottenham at Stoke City means Ronald Koeman’s team remain one point shy of automatic qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
Newcastle 1-1 West Brom
Newcastle United ended their eight-match losing streak, but still remain very much in the Premier League relegation mire following a 1-1 draw with West Brom.
Having seen rivals Sunderland win 2-0 at Everton earlier on Saturday, John Carver’s men approached the fixture under severe pressure to end a miserable run of form in front of their own fans at St James’ Park.
West Brom increased the nerves among the home support when Victor Anichebe converted from Craig Gardner’s free-kick in the 32nd minute. But West Brom’s advantage lasted only nine minutes as Ayoze Perez levelled for the hosts with a precise low strike.
Tony Pulis’ West Brom were on the back foot for the majority of the second 45 minutes, yet would have taken all three points had Chris Brunt not struck the crossbar after 74 minutes. The stalemate leaves Newcastle two points above 18th-placed Hull City – who lost 1-0 to relegated Burnley – with two games remaining.
Stoke 3-0 Tottenham
Stoke City ended Tottenham’s hopes of a top-four finish as they equalled their best points total in the Premier League with a 3-0 victory. Last season’s haul of 50 points was matched as goals from Charlie Adam, Steven N’Zonzi and Mame Biram Diouf capped an impressive display from Mark Hughes’ side.
Adam broke the deadlock after 21 minutes with a close-range header after poor defensive work from Jan Vertonghen, and N’Zonzi doubled the lead after another Tottenham mix-up involving Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier. Spurs’ hopes of a comeback were hit after 50 minutes as Vlad Chiriches became the seventh player to be shown red in as many meetings between the two sides at the Britannia Stadium.
With a man short, Tottenham had no answer to Stoke’s dynamic performance, Diouf extending their advantage with four minutes to play. Defeat mathematically ends any hopes Tottenham had of finishing in the UEFA Champions League places, meaning Mauricio Pochettino may have to settle for a Europa League spot.
Cork must have given him a good few pound to come back. Was looking for 5 grand a week, house, car and sun holidays off galway.
@Darren Murphy: Was he…aye?
Wonder was he ever on Brian Cody’s radar?