Sport: The Premier League relegation battle

Hull City form a huddle prior to kick-off in their crucial game against Manchester United, knowing that a win against an under-strength United team will keep them up Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate looks on during their match against West Ham United. His side were relying on reults elsewhere to have any chance of beating the drop Photograph: Daniel Hambury/PA

Anxious Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia checks his watch Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Newcastle United's Fabricio Coloccini, centre, battles with Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor at Villa Park stadium Photograph: Simon Dawson/AP

Darron Gibson's goal for Manchester United puts Hull City in a perilous position Photograph: John Giles/PA

West Ham United's Carlton Cole celebrates scoring the opening goal at Upton Park as Middlesbrough's defenders despair Photograph: Daniel Hambury/PA

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer watches from the touchline as his team put in another sluggish performance and go a goal down to a deflected Gareth Barry strike Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Gareth Southgate sees a glimmer of hope for his side as Gary O'Neil equalises Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images

Hull manager Phil Brown feels the tension Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Nicolas Anelka celebrates scoring Chelsea's first goal of the game against Sunderland Photograph: John Walton/EMPICS Sport

Sunderland's Kieran Richardson equalises Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

Richard Garcia is tripped by Gary Neville as Hull try to fight their way back into the game against Manchester United Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA

Saloman Kalou scores Chelsea's second with a brilliant shot as they go on to beat Sunderland 3-2 Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Junior Stanislas' goal for West Ham gives them a 2-1 win and condemns Boro to the Championship Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images

Despite losing 1-0, Hull City avoid relegation because Newcastle failed to get the point they needed at Aston Villa Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA

Newcastle United fans realise they are doomed as time runs out on their bid to escape relegation Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Sunderland fans celebrate as their side stay up in what proved to be Ricky Sbragia's last game in charge Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA