EPL: Burnley Relegated

Danny Ings scored Burnley’s first goal in more than 10 hours to seal a spirited but ultimately meaningless win for Burnley. 

Their relegation from the Premier League has been confirmed anyway after results elsewhere make it mathematically impossible for them to stay up.

On an afternoon of gloom for both sides at the KC Stadium, this loss for Hull now leaves them staring down barrel of their own demotion from the top flight. 

Danny Ings (centre) celebrates Burnley's first goal in six matches as Sean Dyche's side takes the lead against Hull on Saturday

Ings strikes on the half-volley after Hull fail to clear a corner to keep his side's slim hopes of survival alive in the 62nd minute

Sean Dyche applauds the away fans in Hull after his side's victory wasn't enough for Burnley to avoid relegation back to the Championship

With two tough games to play they sit in the bottom three, two points adrift of Newcastle immediately above them and the same margin shy of Sunderland - who have a game in hand - above that.

Sunderland’s win against Everton in the lunch-time match meant that when this game kicked off, both Hull and Burnley were in the bottom three, albeit with differing chances of staying up. Burnley needed a win at the very least even to keep alive a theoretical chance of avoiding relegation, but also knowing a win might not be enough to prevent confirmation of the drop depending on other results.

Hull’s fans were in good voice before kick-off, knowing Burnley would have to bring the game to them, and perhaps leave themselves vulnerable. But as news of scores elsewhere filtered through to the KC Stadium, and Hull bobbed in and out of 18th place, the atmosphere became distinctly nervy. 

Burnley’s last two games in the Premier League, for 15 months at the very least, are at home to Stoke next week and then away at Aston Villa. 

It is inevitable they will be a different team in the Championship next season, and lighter by a significant player or three. The only question now about the departure of Ings, 22, is where the out-of-contract forward will go, not if or when. 

Liverpool seems to be leading the race for his signature but Manchester United and others have been considering a move.

He will surely be a Premier League name in 2015-16, even if Burnley are not.