Stoke City relegated from Premier League by home loss to Palace

Stoke City was relegated to the Championship on Saturday after a 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

The Potters' demotion ends a 10-year spell in the top flight that will be remembered for many things including Rory Delap's long throw-ins and, perhaps most famously, the fabled cold, wet, rainy nights in Stoke.

A raucous Bet365 Stadium was rewarded for its support when Xherdan Shaqiri's deflected free-kick nestled behind Wayne Hennessey two minutes before the interval. It was the fifth goal Shaqiri has scored from outside the box in this Premier League campaign.sparked jubilant scenes and

But while Stoke has been blighted by an attack comprising of out-of-form players and journeymen, Palace has turned into a counter-attacking force under Roy Hodgson. James McArthur levelled for the Eagles after Wilfried Zaha and Ruben Loftus-Cheek orchestrated a foray upfield, and Patrick van Aanholt landed the killer blow on 86 minutes when Ryan Shawcross' attempt to intercept Zaha's pass only served to knock it into the full-back's path.

The three points preserved Palace's Premier League status, an incredible achievement considering Hodgson took over in September with the club having recorded no wins or even goals in its opening four matches.

Shawcross, who was in the team promoted to the Premier League under Tony Pulis in 2008, was clearly upset when he was interviewed post-match.

"It's difficult, obviously, but it's not just about one game. It's over a season and we've not been good enough all season," Shawcross told BBC Sport.

"Ultimately, it's down to the players: we've not been good enough. The fans have been brilliant today, a tough result and they're still cheering us."

Stoke has one more match to play this season when it travels to Swansea City on May 13, with the Welsh club currently in its own battle against relegation.