LONDON -- If Norwich City beats Fulham on Sunday then Southampton will lose the top division status it has held since 1978. Relegation would complete one of the most remarkable and unexpected declines in Premiership history -- two years ago Southampton finished eighth and was beaten 1-0 by Arsenal in the F.A. Cup final.
Now its Premiership fate is out of its hands, relying on other clubs' failures to remain among English football's elite even assuming it beats Manchester United.