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Results Based News

Defeat sends Newcastle down

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 25/05/2009

Newcastle United were unable to defeat the football odds and bowed out of the Premier League in meek fashion as a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa brought down the curtain on their 16-year top-flight stay.

Despair in the north-east was met with joy on Humberside as Hull City survived by the skin of their teeth despite losing 1-0 at home to Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson named a much-changed side with half an eye on next week's Champions League Final and it was one of his youngsters, Darron Gibson, who was on the mark at the KC Stadium.

But despite the defeat, the Tigers ultimately survived by one solitary point.

Newcastle's defeat also ensured that Sunderland survived despite their own final-day defeat.

Ricky Sbragia kept the Black Cats in the top-flight before resigning, with his last act a 3-2 defeat at Chelsea.

Middlesbrough's own outside chances of survival - they needed to win at West Ham and hope other results went in their favour - were ended by a 2-1 defeat.

Liverpool ensured they finished runners-up to Manchester United after recording a 3-1 victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal rounded off their season in style after easing to a 4-1 win over Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.

Everton warmed up for next weekend's FA Cup Final with a 2-0 win at Fulham. Two goals from Leon Osman's ensured the Toffees signed off another solid league season on a high.

Manchester City were 1-0 winners against Bolton Wanderers at Eastlands as Felipe Caicedo's eighth minute strike proved decisive.

Wigan Athletic ended an eight-match winless run after edging out Portsmouth 1-0 at the JJB Stadium.

Blackburn Rovers lost Jason Roberts to a second-half red card, but West Bromwich Albion were unable to take advantage and finish a season which has ended in relegation back to the Championship on a rare high note.

England eased to a six-wicket victory in the second one-day international against West Indies.

Chasing 161 for victory, England soon lost skipper Andrew Strauss for four, as he top-edged a catch to Darren Sammy off the bowling of Jerome Taylor.

It was 60-2 when Matt Prior (11) edged a catch to Chris Gayle at slip off the nagging seamers of Sammy and there was the hint of a wobble when Ravi Bopara fell lbw to Dwayne Bravo for a well-made 43.

However, Owais Shah (38) and Paul Collingwood combined to see England almost home before the former was run out by a superb piece of work from Kieron Pollard.

Collingwood was unbeaten on 47 when the hosts clinched victory, with debutant Eoin Morgan two not out.

Jenson Button continued his superb season after leading from start to finish to win the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix from Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

Button was never under pressure as he led off the start line to join an elite group of British drivers - including Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, David Coulthard and Lewis Hamilton - to win on the famous street circuit.

Barrichello passed the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen at the start and he too was never troubled as he lapped with little drama behind Button to complete another dream weekend for Brawn GP.

Button now has a 16-point lead over Barrichello at the top of the drivers' standings.

Deccan Chargers are the new Indian Premier League champions after edging out Bangalore Royal Challengers by six runs in Sunday's tense final in Johannesburg.

In tennis, there were mixed fortunes for Britain's male and female numbers ones as Andy Murray coasted into the second round of the French Open following an opening 6-2 6-2 6-1 victory over Juan Ignacio Chela.

However, Anne Keothavong failed to win a single game while losing to number one seed Dinara Safina.

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