Newcastle, Middlesbrough Suffer EPL Relegation

This morning, soccer fans of both Newcastle United and Middlesbrough woke up to the realisation that their clubs' positions in the world's most competitive league had finally been lost.

Two of England's northeastern giants suffered respective defeats to Aston Villa and West Ham United in their final games of their English Premier League campaigns, condemning them both to life in the Championship next season.

Newcastle's 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa came courtesy of a Damien Duff own goal in the 38^th minute and a sterile second-half display that mirrored a season, which was criticised as gutless in several quarters.

The result ensured they finished in 18th position in the league table despite Hull's loss to champions Manchester United.

Caretaker manager Alan Shearer, who holds the club's all-time goal-scoring record (206), afterwards warned that major changes would have to be made if the club is to rebuild.

"Big changes need to be made. Players need to go out, players need to come in," he said. "This club will have to build to get back up but there are big changes needed to be made, from top to bottom. Big mistakes have been made.

"I am bitterly disappointed, obviously," he added. " I'm feeling hurt, a little bit of anger, a bit of everything, but it hasn't happened today. The fact is we haven't been good enough over 38 games."

The end to Newcastle United's 16-year residency in the Premiership is a particular surprise, despite their continuing problems on and off the pitch. The lack of fan support for owner Mike Ashley, his public fall-out with former boss and fans favourite Kevin Keegan, and continuing reports of an imminent sale of the club served only to undermine their on-field ambitions.

However, they seemed to have turned the corner with the appointment of Joe Kinnear as manager in September, but a heart attack forced the appointment of Shearer for the final eight games of the season.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough saw their outside chance of survival dissipate as they fell to Londoners West Ham 2-1. Having fallen behind to a Carlton Cole goal in the 33^rd minute, they drew level five minutes after the restart through Gary O'Neil.

Hopes of an unlikely victory were sunk just eight minutes later, when young talent Junior Stanislas secured the winner for the Hammers in the 58th minute.

Middlesbrough had maintained their premiership place for 11 seasons but a sorrowful manager, Gareth Southgate, preferred to look to the future.

"It's a low for our football club, our supporters, our players and staff. The club will grieve tonight but the future will start tomorrow. It's a painful blow but we have to take the pain and move forward."

Newcastle United and Middlesbrough join West Bromwich Albion in dropping to the Championship. West Brom's fate was sealed following a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last weekend.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8065824.stm