Hull City have been relegated from the Premier League following a 0-0 draw at home to Manchester United on the final afternoon of the season.
The Tigers needed to win to stand any chance of remaining in the league, but, as it transpired, even all three points would have taken them down due to Newcastle United's home win over West Ham United.
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The home team started on the front foot and had the first attempt on goal when Dame N'Doye met a cross from Robbie Brady inside two minutes, but his header was straight into the arms of Victor Valdes.
Wayne Rooney came close down the other end less than 30 seconds later, but the striker's effort clipped the top of the crossbar.
The match continued to bring chances at either end as Nikica Jelavic beat the offside trap before lifting a cross over Valdes, but Chris Smalling was on hand to head clear, before Michael Dawson headed a corner wide of the post.
Hull had the ball in the back of the net in the 18th minute when Paul McShane poked home from close range, but the centre-back was ruled offside, much to the relief of Valdes, who failed to collect a deep free kick.
The home side had another golden chance one minute later, but Valdes pulled off a stunning save to deny Ahmed Elmohamady. Hull then had the ball in the back of the net for a second time from the resulting corner, but this time N'Doye was offside.
Ander Herrera came close for the visitors in first-half stoppage time, but could not convert a deep cross from Ashley Young.
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Herrera again came close for United early in the second period following a mistake in the Hull defence, but Dawson was on hand to make a crucial block. Moments later, David Meyler fired over the crossbar following a swift counter-attack.
N'Doye and Tom Huddlestone both had efforts for the Tigers in the opening seven minutes of the second period, but the visitors remained strong at the back.
News quickly filtered through that Newcastle had taken the lead against West Ham, which completely deflated the atmosphere inside the stadium.
United came close to taking the lead on the hour when Herrera found space inside the box before firing a shot towards the bottom corner, but the midfielder's effort was always moving wide of Steve Harper's post.
Valdes continued to look shaky from high balls, however, and Daley Blind was forced to clear off the line in the 62nd minute, before McShane came within inches of meeting a whipped cross from the left.
Valdes made another diving safe in the 73rd minute - denying Jelavic from close range during a period when Hull were threatening to break the deadlock.
United were then reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute when Marouane Fellaini made a studs-up challenge on McShane, having only entered the field as a second-half substitute.
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Hull were immediately on the attack after McShane had received treatment, but Valdes made another smart save and Abel Hernandez's rebound was blocked as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
More news filtered through from St James' Park, with Newcastle scoring a second goal to send Hull down. Seven minutes of injury time was added at the KC Stadium, but not much of note occurred as Hull's fate was confirmed.
Matt Law
