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Who is going down? The Premier League relegation run-in

3 minute read

Three Premier League games saw 21 goals scored on Monday as a number of sides scrapped for their lives in the relegation battle.

Picture: AAP Image

Everton were the big winners, stunning Brighton with a magnificent 5-1 win, which not even their most ardent fans saw coming. Nottingham Forest also chalked up a crucial 4-3 win over Southampton, which pushed the Saints closer to the drop. 

Leicester's morale-sapping loss at Fulham leaves them in big trouble, while Sam Allardyce's Leeds slipped into the bottom three without playing.

With three games to go, here is the relegation run-in.

Nottingham Forest

Position: 16th; Points: 33; Goal Difference: -31

Forest have some tricky games left, but after their vital win over Southampton, one more point maybe enough for them to survive.

Steve Cooper's side gave themselves a fine chance of extending their top-flight return beyond just a single season as they beat bottom club Southampton 4-3 on Monday. They looked sharp in attack, although Cooper said: "We didn't cover ourselves in glory with the goals we conceded."

Forest have won 27 of their 33 points at home, but they only have Arsenal left at the City Ground. Next up is a trip to out-of-form Chelsea before hosting the title-chasing Gunners before their visit to Crystal Palace on the final day.

Verdict: Stay up.

Everton

Position: 17th; Points: 32; Goal Difference: -21

Dwight McNeil inspired a fantastic display at Brighton as Everton thrashed the European hopefuls 5-1 on Monday. It was a resulty which nobody saw coming and their first win since March 11.

Four draws in that time had kept them in touch with their rivals and they now have a real chance of avoiding the drop. The Toffees though face Manchester City next up at Goodison Park, before crucial away fixtures at Wolves and at home to Bournemouth. Four points from those two games will likely keep Sean Dyche's men up.

Verdict: Stay up

Leicester City

Position: 18th; Points: 30; Goal Difference: -15

Leicester had looked well placed to survive under Dean Smith before Monday's capitulation at Craven Cottage. The Foxes hit three goals at Fulham but they still slipped to a 5-3 loss which has seen Smith's side fall back into the relegation places.

They had taken five points from three games heading to Craven Cottage, but unforgivably have also missed penalties at vital times in their last two matches and their confidence looks sapped.

With Champions League contenders Liverpool and Newcastle to come before hosting West Ham on the final day, Smith needs a miracle.

They need two wins, but with Liverpool and Newcastle fighting for Champions League spots those two games look beyond them. A triumph over West Ham, who could be on the beach, on the final day may not be enough.

Verdict: Relegated

Leeds United

Position: 19th; Points: 30; Goal Difference: -25

Leeds are arguably in the worst form of all the relegation rivals. Sam Allardyce was given four games to keep Leeds in the top flight and the first of those ended in a  2-1 defeat to champions Man City. But that scoreline does not tell the story of a performance, which offered little optimism that the Whites can survive.

Allardyce adopted a park-the-bus mentality and Leeds would have been buried had Erling Haaland had his shooting boots on.

They have now taken just one point from their last six games, with the final four defeats of Javi Gracia's reign coming with an aggregate score of 17-4.

Sorting out such a leaky defence was Allardyce's main concern following his appointment and he faces two of his former clubs next up in the shape of Newcastle and West Ham, before Leeds host Tottenham on the last day.

They needs two wins to give themselves significant hope, but both Newcastle and Spurs have points to play for and a return to the Championship looks likely.

Verdict: Relegated

Southampton

Position: 20th; Points: 24; Goal Difference: -33

Southampton's 11-year stay in the Premier League is all but at an end with the Saints now eight points from safety.

They battled to a 4-3 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Monday and gave everything, but ultimately they have fallen short this season. Defensively they have looked vulnerable and their relegation will be confirmed if they fail to beat Fulham at St Mary's on Saturday

Ruben Selles is the third manager Saints have had this campaign but he has been unable to oversee the huge turnaround that was required when he took over in February, with a draw against high-flying Arsenal the club's only point from their last seven games.

Verdict: Relegated