For the first time in the history of the English Premier League, all three relegated teams have had their drop confirmed with as much as three games to spare.
As one of the three relegated teams from the premier league this season, the drop of Fulham back to the Championship has been confirmed after they lost at home 0-2 to Burnley on Monday.
Goals from Ashley Westwood and Christ Wood confirmed the Lillywhites' return to the Championship after just a season in the top-flight, having gained promotion last season through the playoffs.
Coming into the game, the hosts needed to win to keep alive their hopes of remaining in the premier league and a win would have taken them seven points within 17th placed Brighton with three games to go.
The visitors themselves had not been in exciting form, having lost four of their last five games, the most recent been the 1-2 loss at home to West Ham United in the last round of games.
Springing early into action knowing the task at hand, Fulham were on the front but Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's early effort in the six minute caused Nick Pope no trouble in goal for Burnley.
Scott Parker would have had his heart in his mouth 20 minutes into the game when Burnley found the back of the net. Matej Vydra's beautiful work down the byline produced a cross for Chris Wood to score from close range. The goal was ruled out, as the ball had clearly gone out of play before Vydra made the cross.
Burnley continued with their telling pressure. Wood's header in the 31st minute was heading towards goal before Tosin Adarabioyo deflected it wide off goal. Wood wasn't done. The Fulham defence had to be on guard to clear his header from the following corner away from goal.
The hosts would finally succumb to the pressure on the 35th minute. A lofty ball behind the defence for Vydra who put in a neat cross into the area to be met by the on-rushing Westwood, who got to the ball ahead of the Fulham defence and slotted into an empty net.
Vydra should make it two a few minutes later with his half volley, but could only manage to steer it wide off Areola's goal.
It was looking like Fulham were running out of steam and with just a minute of the first half left, their fate looked sealed as Chris Wood got Burnley's second of the night. A well teed up pass by Brownhill allowed Wood to power his shit into the top corner.
The home side struggled to create goal-scoring opportunities which summarizes their entire campaign, despite playing good football at some point.
Their only big chance came in the 63rd minute when there were calls for a penalty. James Tarkowski looked to have caught Ademola Lookman and even though the England youngster did not fall to the ground, VAR reviewed and saw that Tarkowski pulled out just in the nick of time. No foul.
Anguissa, who is still in search of his first goal for Fulham came closest to giving them Fulham a glimmer of hope but the inside of the post would deny his 70th minute effort after meeting a cutback to the edge of the box by Lookman.
With Fulham's relegation now stamped, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United and Southampton have now confirmed their safety and can go into their last three games without any fear of being relegated.
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