Fulham relegated after defeat at Stoke
Stoke 4 Fulham 1
Fulham’s 13-year stay in the Premier League came to an end with barely a whimper as they were relegated after a crushing defeat at the Britannia Stadium.
Felix Magath’s men needed to win to preserve any hopes of retaining their top-flight status but crumbled at the hands of former Whites boss Mark Hughes’ side.
Peter Odemwingie scored the first and created the second either side of half-time, the Nigerian touching home from a yard out and then teeing up Marko Arnautovic to fire past David Stockdale.
Arnautovic turned provider for Oussama Assaidi as Stoke scored their third from a lightning breakaway after a Fulham corner was cleared.
Kieran Richardson gave the 3,000-strong travelling support something to cheer when he reduced the arrears, but Jonathan Walters completed the rout a few minutes later.
The crushing defeat means the Whites will play in the second tier for the first time since Jean Tigana led them to promotion in 2001.
Fulham were hit by a virus on the eve of the game which accounted for the in-form Hugo Rodallega and left Fernando Amorebieta fit enough only for the bench.
But the whole side seemed afflicted as they failed to produce the zip, bite and quality required to trouble a lively, powerful Stoke side.
The home side were on top from the off but it took them 25 minutes to bring Stockdale into action, the Whites keeper saving from Stephen Ireland, Arnautovic and Assaidi.
The breakthrough arrived on 38 minutes as Ireland’s deflected shot came back off the bar and as Dan Burn attempted to clear, Odemwingie popped up to put the ball over the line.
Stockdale again saved from Arnautovic moments later and it was a similar story after the break.
Stoke doubled the lead eight minutes into the second half as Fulham, with men committed to attack, were caught out by Odemwingie’s pass that found Arnautovic in space and he lashed into the roof of the net.
Record signing Kostas Mitroglou came on for the final 35 minutes but he was unable to inspire a Fulham comeback and Stoke added a killer third when they countered from a Fulham corner and Arnautovic set up Assaidi.
Richardson, a rare bright spark, pulled one back after Ashkan Dejagah’s cross wasn’t cleared but Stoke reaffirmed their dominance within a couple of minutes, Walters tucking away after being set free on goal.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stockdale; Heitinga, Burn (Mitroglou 58), Hangeland, Riise; Parker, Diarra (Kasami 74); Holtby (Dejagah 32), Sidwell, Richardson; Bent.
Subs not used: Joronen, Riether, Amorebieta, Woodrow.
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