Queens Park Rangers had their hopes of Premier League survival all but ended on Saturday with a 2-0 defeat to Stoke City at Loftus Road.
Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters got the goals for the visitors to send QPR 10 points adrift of safety with four games to play.
Meanwhile, only a second away win of the season for Stoke means that they are now likely to secure their top-flight status for another season.
Sports Mole takes a closer looks at the action between the two sides.
Match statistics:
QPR:
Shots 25
On target 11
Possession 54%
Corners 5
Fouls 8
Stoke:
Shots 11
On target 4
Possession 46%
Corners 5
Fouls 14
Was the result fair?
Stoke were good value for their win thanks to their use of the ball and the ability to hold their nerve better than QPR. Both teams were keen to attack at every opportunity, but it was the visitors who stayed calm, showed more focus and claimed the points.
QPR's performance
It was another display from Harry Redknapp's side that typified their lack of cohesion. They lost the ball far too often and their shooting was among the worst that you are likely to see from any team in the Premier League this season.
Stoke's performance
Tony Pulis's men had far more bite about them than their opponents and put together some decent attacking moves in the final third. They were typically dogged at the back, while the midfield worked very hard throughout the 90 minutes.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Charlie Adam: The Scottish midfielder frequently gets a lot of stick but he gave a solid display in the centre of the park when others around him were losing the ball. Nothing fancy, just a consistently determined showing from Adam.
Biggest gaffe
Despite not being an individual error, QPR's woeful shooting is worthy of a mention. Player after player whacked the ball into the stands as if they were being paid bonuses to do so.
Referee performance
Things got a little spicy during the second half, but referee Chris Foy kept things under control at all times. He needed good vision for one or two fouls around the edge of the Stoke penalty area and gave the right decision each time.
What next?
QPR: The R's have been involved in must-win games for the last few months, but they have to avoid defeat at fellow strugglers Reading next Saturday or they are officially down.
Stoke: The Potters will be eager to get another win under their belts when they host Norwich City next Saturday.
Jack Prescott
