Going Down: Hull City and Burnley Both Relegated

West Ham fought out a 3-2 win at Upton Park against previous relegation worriers Wigan, with Scott Parker scoring the decisive goal 13 minutes from time.

Hull City needed a win if they were to push the Hammers for another week. However, there was no reply to Darren Bent's early goal for Sunderland. Jimmy Bullard missed a penalty, then both sides had a man sent off for a petulant incident just before half time, and the 20 players remaining on the field failed to find a clear route to goal after that. City trail West Ham by 6 points and a goal difference inferior by 23, so but for two 6-0 wins for Hull City and two defeats by the same scoreline for West Ham in the final fortnight of the season, Hull City are relegated.

Wolves and Bolton both drew, against Blackburn and Portsmouth respectively, so could not officially celebrate survival as it was still mathematically possible for Burnley to catch up by winning their final three games.

They played the first of those today, knowing a draw would leave them in the same position as Hull City and only a win could prolong their chance of avoiding relegation for another week. Neither Burnley nor their visitors Liverpool had broken the deadlock by half time. However, four second half goals all went in Liverpool's favour, so Burnley will definitely be in the Npower Championship next season.

There is little to play for at the bottom now. The four teams above the relegation zone are separated by only two points so they will jostle for positions in the final shake-up. Hull City will attempt to win an away game at the final time of asking this season at Wigan a week tomorrow, before signing out from the Premier League after playing Liverpool in two weeks' time. Burnley have to get a result from their trip to Birmingham or final game at home to Tottenham if they are to finish above City in the final standings.