Cash-strapped Portsmouth go down without kicking a ball

Debt-ravaged Portsmouth bowed to the inevitable yesterday when they were relegated from the Premier League on the eve of their FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur.

The south coast club went down without kicking a ball on the day, their slim hopes of survival snuffed out by West Ham beating Sunderland 1-0.

In truth, their chances had already been effectively killed off when they were docked nine points for going into administration in February.

With West Ham moving four points clear of the drop zone, Portsmouth are mathematically unable to escape with five matches remaining.

In the only other Premier League game of the day, Burnley trounced Hull City 4-1 in a battle between the two sides most likely to follow Portsmouth down to the Championship.

Both have 27 points with Wigan and West Ham on 31. Portsmouth have 14. On the flip side, West Bromwich Albion secured their promotion back to the top flight, joining Newcastle United, after beating Doncaster Rovers 3-2.

After ending a 58-year wait for a major trophy in 2008, when they won the FA Cup to the sound of the Pompey Chimes, Portsmouth fans have had little to sing as the club lurched from crisis to crisis.

Since their last appearance at Wembley, the 112-year-old club - English champions in 1949 and 1950 as well as twice FA Cup winners - have been through four owners and as many managers.

The club's status as the first Premier League side to go into administration resulted from a winding-up order presented by the government's customs and revenue department for tax debts totalling at least £7.5 million.