Cardiff City has been relegated from the Premier League after falling to a 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Defeat for Neil Warnock's side leaves it four points behind Brighton and Hove Albion with only one game remaining – against Manchester United at Old Trafford next weekend.
Wilfried Zaha put the Eagles ahead after 28 minutes with a cool finish from 20 yards but the Bluebirds were given a lifeline when Martin Kelly put through his own net three minutes later. They were unable to take advantage of that reprieve, however, falling behind to Michy Batshuayi's strike after 39 minutes.
Despite an improved second-half performance, which saw them go close through Josh Murphy and Kenneth Zohore, their fate was sealed when Andros Townsend added a third 20 minutes from time.
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Bobby Reid netted in the last minute but the damage had been done as Cardiff turn its attention to another season back in the Championship.
What does it mean? Bluebirds fail to outrun woeful start
The difficulty of Cardiff's task was made clear during an eight-game winless run to start the campaign. It found its feet after that chastening baptism but it has proved too little, too late and an immediate return to the Championship awaits. Whether Warnock, who received generous applause from the home fans after the full-time whistle, is in charge remains to be seen.
Palace, meanwhile, make it three away wins on the spin and can start planning for what it hopes will be a more consistent campaign next time out.
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Zaha hits new heights
The 26-year-old was at his mesmerising best, causing problems for Cardiff's defenders throughout. His strike takes him to 10 in the Premier League this season – his highest ever return in the competition.
Kelly's howler does not prove costly
The former Liverpool defender was starting just his 11th Premier League game of the campaign and it showed with his shocking own goal. He will have breathed a huge sigh of relief when Batshuayi hit the net soon after.
What's next?
Warnock faces the difficult task of lifting his players for the visit to United next weekend, while Hodgson's side finishes its campaign with the visit of Bournemouth.
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