LONDON: Cardiff’s hopes of Premier League survival suffered a setback as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were held 1-1 at home by Stoke.

The point edged the Bluebirds above relegation rivals Fulham – who lost at Tottenham – but they remain in the drop zone with only three games remaining.

Cardiff’s Mats Daehli and Jordan Mutch missed early chances before Marko Arnautovic put Stoke in front from a penalty just before half-time.

Peter Whittingham equalised in the 51st minute, also from the spot, after Fraizer Campbell was fouled by Steven Nzonzi.

Cardiff thought they had gone ahead when Juan Cala prodded home on the hour but his effort was ruled out for offside. Stoke could also have won it late but Oussama Assaidi was foiled by a fine save from David Marshall and Jon Walters hit the bar.

Fulham went down 3-1 at Tottenham for whom Christian Eriksen was again outstanding. He set up two of the goals which ended a run of two straight victories for Felix Magath’s men.

Paulinho converted an Eriksen free kick but Steve Sidwell equalised two minutes later. Harry Kane glanced home an Aaron Lennon cross three minutes into the second half and Younes Kaboul sealed the points for Spurs by converting another Eriksen free-kick.

Fulham wasted a chance to get back into the game when Sidwell saw a penalty saved by Hugo Lloris.

Wilfried Bony all but sealed Swansea’s survival and added to the pressure on home manager Alan Pardew by scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at Newcastle.

Shola Amoebi fired home in the 23rd minute to give the Magpies their first goal in four games but Bony headed in an equaliser just on half-time. He then scored a winner in second-half stoppage time after Marvin Emnes was brought down by Cheick Tiote. That meant a fifth successive defeat for Newcastle.

Aston Villa are still not assured of safety despite ending their run of four straight losses with a goalless draw against Southampton at Villa Park.

Crystal Palace claimed their fifth successive victory by 1-0 away to West Ham. The match was preceeded by a minute’s silence for Hammers 20-year-old Dylan Tombines who lost his battle against testicular cancer on Friday.

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