“We worked really hard for two months to get the lad signed, that puts it into perspective — yes, we’ve got relegated, but life is far more important. “You can’t plan for something like that and I didn’t think it would affect the players in the way it did. “I did think he would score 10 or 15 goals, he was the type we needed. It wasn’t to be.” … “The fans knew when I took over the club was in a mess, it’s been reborn – everybody is singing from the same hymn sheet. “They know we’ve given it our best. We had some great chances in the second half. “The Chelsea result killed us, that night in the dressing room. It was really low that night, they have kept fighting so I have no complaints. “The problems we have had to put up with throughout the season, I have nothing but praise for everybody. It makes such a difference when you hear the crowd.”<doc-sep>Cardiff's one-year stay in the Premier League came to an end after Crystal Palace secured a 3-2 win on Saturday. The Bluebirds needed to win in order to take their fight to the final day, but their faint hopes of survival were ended by an impressive Palace side. The relegations of Huddersfield and Fulham had already been confirmed prior to Cardiff's return to the Championship. Goals from Wilfried Zaha, Michy Batshuayi and Andros Townsend consigned Cardiff to an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship with their second successive Premier League stint ended after a single season. 2:57 Highlights from Crystal Palace's win over Cardiff in the Premier League. 'Best year in management' Manager Neil Warnock has called the 2018/19 season his "best year in management" despite Cardiff's relegation and believes the club are in a much better place than when he first arrived. "Everybody is disappointed when you suffer a relegation. It would be wrong not to feel like that, if you're not hurt, but I can't really be much prouder. The lads put a lot of effort in but you can see the limitations there," he told his post-match press conference. Image: Cardiff manager Neil Warnock puts on a brave face as he thanks the supporters "Their front four were just too good for us really, but we created so many chances in the second half. That's the story of the Premier League and you've got to take chances like that and we haven't really had a goalscorer this year so it's been a disappointment. "But I think when you look back to when I came to the club, I thought it was broken and really in a poor state. You saw the fans tonight, the club has almost been reborn and I'm so proud that the fans have been like they have been, I've never experienced anything like it in my career. 3 - Neil Warnock has suffered his third top-flight relegation, going down with three different teams in three different decades – Notts County in 1991-92, Sheffield United in 2006-07 and Cardiff City in 2018-19. Traverse. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 4, 2019 "As daft as it sounds, this season has probably been the best year I've ever had in management, I'm quite proud of what we've achieved and we got relegated. It is a difficult thing to digest but that's how I feel. "There were just so many things to overcome and to keep a group like this together with one thing after another. I went to the [FA] commission the other day and there were 14 major incidents that we didn't get so you need a bit of luck as well. It's not just about playing well and taking chances, you need a bit of luck with one or two decisions going your way. "We have missed a goalscorer and someone had already asked me about Emiliano [Sala], but I think that also puts things into perspective. We've got relegated but the lad lost his life so we would have loved another striker and I think he would have helped us. Image: Sean Morrison and Danny Ward applaud the home fans "But we've just got to go again, the club has got to go again. I think one or two lads have grown into the Premier League, there are quite a few who I didn't think would get to the 37th game, but they are a good group so I can't really fault the effort, it's just that if some of their lads had got some of our chances today, it might've been a different game. "That's happened all season really, we've all made mistakes and the third goal typified the defending you can't do at this level." 😢... thank you for all your support this season ❤️ — Harry Arter (@HarryArter2) May 4, 2019 Warnock also refused to be drawn on whether he would lead Cardiff in the Sky Bet Championship next season but did say he had another year of management in him. "I think we've just got to relax for a few days and have a think about everything really. I've not spoken to anybody. I don't think you can make rash judgements at this stage of the season with one game to go," he added. "I will be working next year somewhere, I'm looking forward to that challenge again. It's been a great experience for me and probably my best job ever to have done what we've done with the club. "I'm so proud of the club. I've never heard anything like it [the fans] and I had a tear in my eye going round. I've never seen a relegated team get an ovation like that. I do feel a little bit tired tonight but I look well, so that's the main thing. "If I didn't have the drive, I wouldn't do it and Sharon's quite happy for me to do another year but like I say, we've got to let things settle and then have a chat with Mehmet [Dalman] and Vincent [Tan] to see where we are." Goodbye from Gunnarsson Aron Gunnarsson was part of the Cardiff squad the last time they were relegated from the top flight five years ago, and he was playing his final home game for the club after eight years and over 280 games. Image: Aron Gunnarsson and Bobby Reid look dejected after Palace's third goal He told the club's official website: "We've had some setbacks during the season but we always did what we could to bounce back. Today was a tough defeat to take. "We were still fighting to survive, but I have to admit I felt the better footballing team won on the day. "That being said, decisions haven't gone our way at times this campaign for whatever reason. "Overall, we're still proud of the boys, and the club. Last time we were in the Premier League it was a different story. It felt like a different Club; a different feeling. "The togetherness this season was much better, and hopefully it is third time lucky for Cardiff City the next time we're promoted."<doc-sep>Cardiff City have been relegated from the Premier League after slumping to a 3-2 defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Neil Warnock’s side needed a win to have a realistic chance of beating the drop on the last day of the season, but they were out-classed by Palace at the Cardiff City Stadium. Third bottom Cardiff are four points behind fourth bottom Brighton with only one game remaining, ensuring they will join already relegated Huddersfield and Fulham in the second tier next season. The Bluebirds will make an immediate return to the Championship after last season’s promotion, their fate sealed by a dismal run of nine defeats in their last 11 league games. It won’t be a season fondly remembered by Cardiff, with their relegation coming after the tragic death of striker Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash en route to Wales before he had even played a game for the club. Warnock’s name was chanted by Cardiff fans despite the loss, but it remains to be seen if the 70-year-old returns for the Championship promotion bid next term. In a painful twist, Cardiff were pushed towards relegation by Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, who spent time on loan with Cardiff when they last dropped out of the Premier League in 2014. The Ivory Coast international, booed by Cardiff fans, gave an influential display on his return to south Wales and fired Palace in front from the edge of the area in the 28th minute. Martin Kelly gifted Cardiff a lifeline three minutes later when the Palace defender tried to cut out Leandro Bacuna’s cross but instead diverted the ball into his own net when he could have left it for goalkeeper Vicente Guaita to collect. Kelly’s blunder did little to ease Cardiff’s obvious anxiety and on-loan Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi restored Palace’s lead when he punished sloppy marking with a clinical close-range finish in the 40th minute. Andros Townsend effectively confirmed Cardiff’s relegation in the 70th minute with a low drive that went in via the woodwork and Bobby Reid’s 90th minute curler was no consolation for the beleaguered hosts. AFP.<doc-sep>Cardiff City take the Premier League's final relegation place Premier League All three teams decided Cardiff City's 3-2 defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon confirmed their relegation from the Premier League. With it, they joined Fulham and Huddersfield on their way down to the Championship. All of England's top tier's relegation places are now known before the penultimate round of fixtures has reached its conclusion. Wilfried Zaha opened the scoring on half an hour in this match, before Martin Kelly scored an own goal to give the Welsh side hope. However, Michy Batshuayi and Andros Townsend sealed their fate, rendering Bobby Reid's late strike pointless.<doc-sep>
Cardiff have been relegated from the Premier League after losing 3-2 at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Neil Warnock's side fell behind when Wilfried Zaha scored in the 28th minute but levelled courtesy of an own goal from Martin Kelly three minutes later. Michy Batshuayi and Andros Townsend then scored to put Palace 3-1 ahead. Neil Warnock's Cardiff have been relegated from the Premier League Cardiff captain Sean Morrison looks on as his side are relegated to the Championship Although Bobby Reid scored for the hosts late on, Cardiff were still beaten and will return to the Championship after just one campaign back in the top flight. Cardiff join Fulham and Huddersfield in being relegated to the second tier. Their plight means that Brighton, who have 35 points with two games remaining, have secured their Premier League status for next season. Speaking after the game Warnock stated that he is proud of his players despite Cardiff having been unable to stay up. Kenneth Zohore is dejected after his side suffered relegation to the Championship Warnock told BT Sport: 'You have heard this lot (the crowd), fantastic! They have been fabulous all season and I am right proud of them. 'I am proud of the lads as well. We showed limitations today and that's why we are where we are. 'The club's arrived again now. It's alive and kicking and that's the main thing. When we first came here it was almost gone so I'm really proud of what we've done. Cardiff's Aron Gunnarsson and Bobby Reid are left dejected against Crystal Palace Cardiff supporters were left devastated as their side's relegation was confirmed Cardiff have been in dismal form of late, losing six of their last seven Premier League games. Defensively Cardiff have struggled this season - they have conceded 69 goals in the Premier League, with Fulham and Huddersfield the only sides to have let in more. They will conclude their campaign next Sunday with a trip to face Manchester United. The previous time Cardiff were relegated from the Premier League, in 2014, it took them four years to return.