Sunday 30 April 2017 07:21, UK
Sunderland's 10-year stay in the Premier League came to an end after a 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Josh King scored the winner in the 88th minute at the Stadium of Light to relegate the Black Cats, who needed to better Hull's result at Southampton to prolong their stay in the top flight for at least another week.
But Hull held on for a 0-0 draw against Southampton, helped by a 90th-minute penalty save from Eldin Jakupovic, to seal Sunderland's fate.
Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini went closest for the hosts in an open game while King hit the bar for the Cherries in the 20th minute.
The win means Bournemouth pass the 40-point mark and are now 10 points clear of the relegation zone, while Sunderland have been relegated from the Premier League on four occasions, having spent nearly all of the season in the bottom three.
They have only won five matches and the swathes of empty seats at the full-time whistle told their own story.
But Sunderland did have their chances in a game that could have gone either way, with Defoe unusually wasteful for the hosts with eight shots and only one on target.
Having made four changes, including handing Steven Pienaar a first appearance since February 11, the hosts made a nervy start in defence.
A corner was turned just wide in the first minute before King almost headed in a cross from Fraser.
The Black Cats also threatened, with Borini's swerving shot parried away by Artur Boruc and Defoe firing over from a good position.
King went close with a brilliantly executed chip over Jordan Pickford from the left side of the box that hit the underside of the bar.
Sunderland's best chance fell to Defoe but he volleyed straight at Boruc from eight yards out after Didier N'Dong headed over the top of the defence.
Defoe had another shot into the side-netting before King's effort on the turn was blocked by Donald Love.
There were more chances at both ends at the start of the second half, with Marc Pugh curling a shot wide and Boruc making a good save to deny Borini.
Boruc was again called upon to save from Sunderland substitute George Honeyman at the near post and then keep out a first-time effort from Borini.
But as the Black Cats committed men forward in the closing stages they were caught on the break as Fraser passed across goal for King to tap in.
A penalty to Southampton gave Sunderland brief hope of delaying their relegation, but Jakupovic's save sealed their fate.
Player ratings
Sunderland: Pickford (6), Manquillo (5), O'Shea (6), Kone (7), Love (5), N'Dong (7), Khazri (6), Pienaar (5), Borini (6), Defoe (5), Anichebe (6).
Subs: Honeyman (6).
Bournemouth: Boruc (7), Adam Smith (6), Francis (6), Steve Cook (6), Daniels (5), Fraser (7), Arter (6), Lewis Cook (5), Pugh (5), King (7), Afobe (5).
Subs: Gradel (5), Stanislas (5), Mousset (5).
Man of the match: Josh King.
