Stoke relegated but Baggies cling to hope
Stoke City lost their battle to stay in the Premier League yesterday in a day of breathtaking twists at the foot of the table – with West Brom still, amazingly, having a slender chance of survival.
Everton’s 94th-minute equaliser against Southampton in the late match threw West Brom an unlikely lifeline after they had earlier done what they had to do – beating Tottenham.
Staring down the relegation barrel, the Baggies won thanks to a goal by Doug Livermore in the 92nd minute, making it three wins and two draws in five games since Darren Moore replaced Alan Pardew as manager.
West Brom, on 31 points, go to Crystal Palace on the final day, and must win to have any chance of surviving. Moore said he could not bear to watch the Everton v Southampton game.
Saints are out of the bottom three after drawing with Sam Allardyce’s Everton, but manager Mark Hughes was left fuming. Nathan Redmond gave his side a second-half lead, but defender Maya Yoshida was sent off with five minutes remaining, and Tom Davies scored with a deflected shot in added time.
Southampton, on 33 points, and Swansea (32) play at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday.
Huddersfield, who play at champions Manchester City today, are on 35 points and have the toughest run-in.
It was a highly disappointing day for Stoke. Xherdan Shaqiri put Stoke ahead with a first-half free-kick, but Palace hit back to assure their own safety with goals by James McArthur and Patrick van Aanholt. Stoke’s 19th defeat of the season consigned them to a return to the Championship for the first time since 2008. Players including England keeper Jack Butland – likely to leave now – were in tears at the end.
Manager Paul Lambert insisted his side will rebuild, while captain Ryan Shawcross issued a withering assessment of their troubled campaign.
“It’s difficult obviously, but it’s not just about one game. We’ve not been good enough all season,” he said. “Ultimately it’s down to the players: we’ve not been good enough. Since the gaffer has come in we’ve had a right go, but we’ve not got the goals we needed.”