Newcastle lose ground in the race for the playoffs, while Southampton slips.

Newcastle United's 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Leeds United added to their anxiety about finishing in the top four of the Premier League, but Southampton's suffering is over after being demoted on Saturday.

Rasmus Kristensen, a defender for Leeds, equalized in the second half to prevent Newcastle from winning, which would have all but guaranteed them a spot in the Champions League for the following season.

Although Leeds were still third-bottom of the standings with two games remaining, it might also be crucial in their attempt to avoid relegation.
After Fulham defeated Southampton 2-0 at home, the bottom-dwelling Saints' ten-year tenure in the Premier League came to an end.

Only a victory would have preserved their chances of surviving, but goals from Carlos Vinicius and substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic condemned them to a 24th loss of a terrible campaign in which they have fired two managers.

"Disappointing. It has been on the way. According to Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse, "We knew we were in a tough spot. "From the first day of the season until now, you can tell the standards have slipped."
But despite being in 16th place, Nottingham Forest managed to pick up a point in a 2-2 draw at Chelsea, demonstrating how competitive the race to avoid joining Southampton in the second tier is.

With 36 games played, Southampton has 24 points, Leicester City, in 19th place, has 30 points, Leeds has 31 points, and Everton has 32 points. With two games remaining, Steve Cooper's Forest have 34 points.

On Sunday, Everton plays host to league leaders Manchester City, and on Monday, Leicester hosts Liverpool at home.

At Elland Road, the afternoon got off to an exciting start as Leeds took an early lead, missed a penalty, conceded two penalties, and had a man sent off.

After Nick Pope had saved Rodrigo's header on Patrick Bamford's cross in the seventh minute, Leeds captain Luke Ayling scored on a rebound.

Joelinton tripped Junior Firpo in the penalty area, awarding Leeds a penalty shot, but Nick Pope turned away Bamford's attempt.
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was then hacked down by Maximillian Wober and Callum Wilson converted from the penalty spot. Newcastle were awarded a second penalty midway through the second half when Firpo handled and Wilson proved deadly once again.

Leeds battled back and Kristensen popped up in the 79th minute to hammer home a deflected equaliser before Firpo saw red in stoppage time for a second yellow card.

"In the space of a few minutes in the first half when we get a second penalty to go 2-0 up, I think I'd be here saying what a great three points that was today," Leeds interim manager Sam Allardyce said. "We shot ourselves in the foot."

Newcastle, beaten by Arsenal last week, remained third with 66 points, but Manchester United drew level with them after a 2-0 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers with Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho both on target.

Both sides have three games left but will be looking over their shoulders at Liverpool who have 62 points ahead of their clash with Leicester, although Juergen Klopp's team will have only two games remaining after that game.

UNDER PRESSURE

Forest's Cooper has been under pressure for much of the season but his side are potentially one win away from surviving against the odds.

For the second game running Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice for Forest, putting them ahead in the 13th minute and equalising in the 62nd with a header. Raheem Sterling's double early in the second half had put 11th-placed Chelsea ahead, albeit briefly.

"Some positives to take out of it. A lot of the betting would have been for us to get nothing and we got something," said Cooper whose side face Arsenal next.

Crystal Palace beat Bournemouth 2-0 in the other game thanks to two goals by Eberechi Eze.

The title race continues on Sunday with Arsenal at home to Brighton and City at Everton.