Stoke’s fate sealed at home

– After a decade in the top flight Stoke City were relegated from the Premier League on Saturday when they blew a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace.

Paul Lambert’s (above) side are second bottom, three points from the safety zone, but with only one game remaining they are doomed.

With fourth-bottom Swansea and third-bottom Southampton playing each other in midweek, it is impossible for Stoke to collect enough points to avoid slipping into the Championship.

Stoke spent 10 seasons in the Premier League, but a run of 13 games without a victory ensured that streak is over.

Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross conceded the players had only themselves to blame.

“It’s difficult obviously but it’s not just about one game. It’s over a season and we’ve not been good enough all season,” he said.

The blame for Stoke’s predicament lies jointly with Lambert and Mark Hughes, who was sacked in January after a wretched run culminated with an embarrassing FA Cup third round defeat against fourth tier Coventry.

Shaqiri’s superb left-footed free-kick took a slight deflection off Palace midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek as it curled into the net past Wayne Hennessey before he could react.

It was the Swiss forward’s first goal since February and he celebrated by sprinting to the touchline to jump into Lambert’s arms.

But Stoke couldn’t cling onto their lead and Palace midfielder James McArthur equalised in the 68th minute.

Forced to throw men forward in search of a winner, they were carved open in the 86th minute as Patrick van Aanholt slotted home to seal their fate. –

London