25 May
Newcastle and M’Brough relegated
Newcastle United have been relegated from the Premier League after a cruel own goal by Damien Duff saw them lose to Aston Villa 1 – 0 on Sunday.
Newcastle followed North-East rivals Middlesbrough through the trap door after Boro’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham United ended their slim chances of staying up. West Bromwich Albion, who drew 0-0 at Blackburn Rovers, were already doomed.
Newcastle needed to better Hull City’s result against Manchester United on a tense final day of the season but faded badly in the second half against Villa despite the fact that an equaliser would have saved them.
“I am disappointed and angry. We did not lose our status today, we’ve lost it over 38 games and we’ve not been good enough over 38 games,” Alan Shearer, who was handed the job of saving Newcastle on April 1, told the BBC.
