Fulham became the third and final team to be relegated from the Premier League this season when they were beaten 2-0 by Burnley on Monday.
Scott Parker's side got that sinking feeling at Craven Cottage, where first-half goals from Ashley Westwood and the in-form Chris Wood his 50th for the club consigned them to an immediate return to the Championship.
It is the first time in Premier League history that all relegation slots have been confirmed with as many as three matches remaining.
A despondent Parker said: "I'm hurt, I'm gutted. This has been looming, we've flirted with it for a long time, there are no words that I can say other than I am gutted we have not been successful.
"Staying in this division was success for us. We knew it was always going to be a challenge but it is bitterly disappointing not to do that.
"The performance levels have been there, the fine margins and gulf in class in this division are so small. We've been so close at times but yet so far.
"Over the last five or six games, we've just fallen short.
"My players have given absolutely everything this season and I have seen that again tonight. Endeavour, desire, effort, but we have fallen short on quality at times.
"Over the coming weeks we need to have some discussions and work out what we need to do to move forward and try and get off this rollercoaster."
