Southampton secured their top-flight safety with a thrilling 3-3 draw against neighbours Bournemouth as Cardiff’s chances of escaping the drop were dealt a potentially-fatal blow with defeat by already-relegated Fulham.
Matt Targett thought he had scored the Saints’ winner – the 1,000th Premier League goal of the season – in the 67th minute but Callum Wilson scored his second of the game four minutes from time to equalise.
Saints had taken a 12th-minute lead through Shane Long only for Dan Gosling and Wilson to turn things around for the visitors just past the half-hour.
However, the point was enough to take Southampton to 38 and out of the reach of Cardiff, for whom relegation is now a very realistic possibility.
Neil Warnock’s side trail Brighton, who have a superior goal difference and are playing Newcastle in the late kick-off, by three points after Ryan Babel’s 79th-minute goal condemned them to defeat with Junior Hoilett hitting the crossbar in added time.
Cardiff’s 1-0 defeat also guaranteed Burnley, who face Manchester City tomorrow, are safe on 40 points.
At the other end of the table, third-placed Spurs’ hopes of solidifying their top-four spot were dealt a blow as West Ham became the first opposition team to win at Tottenham’s new stadium.
Spurs had not conceded a goal in their previous four games at their new home but Michail Antonio’s second-half strike was enough for a 1-0 win.
Wolves lead the race for seventh, and a likely European spot, after they beat fellow contenders Watford 2-1.