Liverpool shocked by Fulham and Southampton relegated ahead of dismal Manchester derby

Liverpool fell to a shock defeat on its march to the Premier League title — losing 3-2 at Fulham on Sunday.

At the other end of the standings, Southampton became the first team to be relegated from England’s top flight this season after a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham.

Manchester United and Manchester City played out a dismal 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

Liverpool’s loss meant it missed the chance to move 14 points clear of second-placed Arsenal and a step closer to a record-equaling 20th English league title. A stunning first-half fightback from Fulham at Craven Cottage saw Arne Slot’s team lose for only the second time in the league this season.

“A very poor first half in terms of the goals we conceded, it was so unnecessary and then you’re fighting a very tough battle. A very poor half as a collective,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said. “We tried everything in the second half but when you ship three goals in the first half it’s very difficult.”

Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday had given Liverpool an unexpected boost in the race for the title, but despite going ahead through Alexis Mac Allister’s goal in the 14th minute, the visitors were 3-1 down at halftime.

Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz all found the back of the net in a thrilling 14-minute spell. Luis Diaz got Liverpool’s second after the break.

Liverpool remains 11 points ahead of Arsenal and on course to win the title with seven games remaining. It needs 11 more points to be assured of being crowned champion.

Disappointing derby

They once called Manchester the capital of English soccer. Not anymore.

A miserable Manchester derby ended goalless at Old Trafford in a game that lacked intensity and entertainment.

A troubled campaign for both the red and blue halves of the city is drawing to a close and there is now the very real danger of no Manchester representation in the Champions League next season for the first time since 1995-96.

United’s only realistic hope of qualifying is by winning the Europa League, having advanced to the quarterfinals.

City, which won European club soccer’s biggest prize in 2023, is facing a battle to secure its place.

The top four in the league qualify automatically and England is in prime position to be handed a bonus fifth place for next year’s competition.

City is currently fifth — one point ahead of Aston Villa in sixth. Newcastle is seventh — two points behind City with two games in hand. It would move up to fifth with a win against Leicester on Monday.

United fans protest

United fans staged their latest protest against the club’s ownership with a pre-arranged sit-in after the match.

Dissatisfied supporters staged a march ahead of the game against Arsenal last month, with thousands joining in.

The latest protest looked less impactful. One banner called for the removal of American owners the Glazer family.

Southampton relegated

With just 10 points from 31 games, last-placed Southampton’s fate was sealed with defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Its relegation is the joint fourth earliest in the Premier League era, according to the league’s statistician Opta.

Derby’s drop on March 29 in 2008 is still the earliest relegation since the league began in 1992. Huddersfield and Fulham suffered earlier relegations than Southampton, which is now joint with Leicester in 2002.

According to Opta, Southampton is the first Premier League team to be relegated with seven or more games to play in the campaign.

“We are disappointed. It has to be a big school for everything – for us, for me, for the players, for the club – to see what we did wrong,” Southampton manager Ivan Juric said.

Two first-half goals from Brennan Johnson put Southampton on course for a 25th league defeat of the season. Mateus Fernandes pulled one back late on for the visitors before Mathys Tel struck a third for Spurs from the penalty spot in added time.

Brentford and Chelsea drew 0-0.

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer