Breaking: Southampton relegated from Premier League after 11 years

Southampton, on Saturday, May 13, relegated from the Premier League as second-half goals from Carlos Vinicius’ and Aleksandar Mitrovic secured a first league double for Fulham at St Mary’s Stadium.

Southampton’s 11-year spell in the Premier League ended with the defeat.

Southampton are the first team to be relegated from the Premier League this season.

Fulham took the lead in the 48th minute when Vinicius tapped home unmarked after Harrison Reed’s sliding challenge on Lyanco diverted the ball across goal.

Southampton had moments earlier in the game as they saw a Carlos Alcaraz effort disallowed for offside.

Mitrovic was a second-half substitute for Fulham on his return from an eight-game ban and just six minutes after his introduction, the Serbia striker rose to meet Harry Wilson’s cross to compound Southampton’s despair.

Kicking off eight points shy of safety, the hosts needed a win to keep any faint hopes alive – but there was an air of resignation among home supporters, who were heading for the exits long before the final whistle.

A hefty rebuild is going to be necessary and one that is far more focused than the calamitous January transfer window in which six players were signed but to very little effect.

Fulham’s seventh away win of the Premier League season moves them up to ninth in the table and on track for a first top-half finish since 2012.

The Star