FULHAM have joined Huddersfield as they become the second team to have their relegation from the Premier League confirmed.
The Cottagers needed a win against Watford at Vicarage Road to stand any chance of staying in the top flight. But a 4-1 loss to the Hornets has sealed their fate and condemned them to football in the Championship next season.
Fulham sit 16 points adrift of Burnley, who are currently outside of the drop zone, with just five matches remaining. Ryan Babel cancelled out Abdoulaye Doucoure’s opener at Vicarage Road but goals from Will Hughes, Kiko Femenia and Troy Deeney sent the Cottagers down.
It has been a disappointing season for the west London club, who are on their third manager in this campaign – their first in the Premier League since 2013/14.
The writing has been on the wall for months, as despite £100 million worth of investment in the playing squad in summer, Fulham have only managed four wins in the league this season.
Having sacked the man who took them up via the playoffs last season – Slavisa Jokanovic, and seen Claudio Ranieri come and go, the interim appointment of Scott Parker as boss seemed to signal that the Fulham board knew the end was nigh, and they were preparing for life back in the second tier.
They also boast the unenviable stat of having the league’s worst defensive record, having shipped 72 goals coming into Tuesday’s match. Fulham have five games remaining with the final relegation place set to go down to the wire.
– Mirror Sport
