QPR were the second side to be relegated from the Premier League this season after their demoralising 6-0 loss at the hands of Manchester City on the weekend.
The R's have been condemned to the Championship for the second time in three years after falling to the bottom of the table on the back of a run which has seen them win once in 11 outings.
Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick and provided an assist as City ran riot at the Etihad Stadium with the other goals coming from Aleksandar Kolarov, James Milner and David Silva allowing the last season's champions to move three points clear of third-placed Arsenal who face Swansea City on Monday night.
Jordi Gomez's late-season renaissance continued with an assist for Danny Graham after last week's brace while Jermain Defoe scored with a fortunate deflection as Sunderland moved two points clear of the drop zone with a 2-0 home win over Sunderland.
Joining the Black Cats in keeping their survival hopes alive, albeit briefly, were Burnley who defeated Hull City 1-0 thanks to Danny Ings' first goal since February 11.
The victory gave Sean Dyche's Clarets some semblance of optimism until the Sunderland result came through meaning they drop back down to the second tier after just one season back in the top flight.
Steve Bruce's Hull are now placed precariously in 18th position, two points behind Newcastle United and Sunderland, with two fixtures remaining.
Charlie Adam struck his fourth goal in his past six outings to open the scoring for Stoke City in their eventual 3-0 victory over ten-man Tottenham at the Britannia Stadium. Steven N'Zonzi and Mame Biram Diouf were also on target as Mark Hughes' Potters enhanced their chances of finishing in the top 10.
John Carver had something to smile about at his Newcastle side stopped a run of eight consecutive defeats with a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion.
Ayoze Perez levelled for the Magpies four minutes before half-time after Victor Anichebe struck for the Baggies just after the half-hour mark.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa edged West Ham United 1-0 thanks to Tom Cleverley's third goal in three games, Riyad Mahrez scored a brace as Leicester City made it six wins in seven with a 2-0 triumph over Southampton, Manchester United got the better of Crystal Palace with a 2-1 away result to almost secure a top-four finish while newly-crowned champions Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool with captains John Terry and Steven Gerrard both heading home for their respective sides.
2014/15 Barclays Premier League - season scores
Everton: 0 Sunderland: 2 (Danny Graham 53', Jermain Defoe 85') Goodison Park, Liverpool - 38,246
Aston Villa: 1 (Tom Cleverley 31') West Ham United: 0 Villa Park, Birmingham - 39,294
Hull City: 0 Burnley: 1 (Danny Ings 62') KC Stadium, Kingston-upon-Hull - 24,877
Leicester City: 2 (Riyad Mahrez 7'/19') Southampton: 0 King Power Stadium, Leicester - 31,939
Newcastle United: 1 (Ayoze Perez 41') West Bromwich Albion: 1 (Victor Anichebe 32') St James' Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne - 47,894
Stoke City: 3 (Charlie Adam 21', Steven N'Zonzi 32', Mame Biram Diouf 86') Tottenham: 0 (red card: Vlad Chiriches 51') Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent - 27,104
Crystal Palace: 1 (Jason Puncheon 57') Manchester United: 2 (Juan Mata (p) 19', Marouane Fellaini 78') Selhurst Park, London - 25,009
Manchester City: 6 (Sergio Aguero 4'/50'/(p) 65', Aleksandar Kolarov 32', James Milner 70', David Silva 87') QPR: 0 Etihad Stadium, Manchester - 44,564
Chelsea: 1 (John Terry 5') Liverpool: 1 (Steven Gerrard 44') Stamford Bridge, London - 41,547
