Jack Butland and other Stoke City stars in tears as club become first Premier League team to be relegated this season

Stoke City players react to relegation reality after the match. [Photo: Courtesy]

Jack Butland was left in tears as Stoke become the first side to be relegated from the Premier League this season.

The Potters ended their 10 season stay in the top flight with a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and the England shot stopper was left inconsolable after the final whistle.

Butland is highly likely to be part of Gareth Southgate's 23-man squad to travel to Russia for this summer's World Cup and could spark a bidding war from top flight clubs for his signature this summer.

Patrick van Aanholt sealed their fate as Roy Hodgson's side came from behind to win at the bet365 Stadium.

Xherdan Shaqiri had given the Potters hope of staying up having curled in a first half free kick, but James McArthur set up the comeback with a fine counter attack goal before van Aanholt's winner four minutes from time.

Stoke gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 2008 after finishing runners-up to West Brom in the Championship and became mainstays in the top flight after finishing 14th, 12th, 11th, three 13ths and a trio of ninth placed finishes during their stay.

"It's difficult obviously but it's not one just about game. It's over a season and we've not been good enough all season," captain Ryan Shawcross told Sky Sports.

"Ultimately it's down to the players: we've not been good enough. The fans have been brilliant today, a tough result and they're still cheering us.

"Since the gaffer has come in we've had a right go and been in every game. But for whatever reason we've not got the goals we needed and that cost us.

"The club has decisions to make and it would be brilliant if we can keep our best players."

Match winner van Aanholt apologised for scoring on Twitter: "Normally I like to celebrate when I score but I’d like to apologise to Stoke City and their fans, I wish my goal didn’t relegate you, but you’ll be back soon! Great club with great fans."

Stoke City manager Paul Lambert consoles a player. [Photo: Courtesy]

Paul Lambert only managed a single victory after taking over from Mark Hughes in January.

And the former Norwich chief said on Sky Sports: "My emotions are up and down. You will probably not get a true reflection of the feelings on it. It is a tough afternoon. I am feeling for everyone connected with the club.

"The season starts in July and August. When teams don't get results you can be sleep-walking into positions you don't want to be in. We never had enough. Since I came in the lads have given everything but we came short. It is a chance to rebuild.

"It is difficult to come in mid-January to try to assess the team and I had a chat with the players on what went wrong, try to rectify it. No one can point a finger at the effort of the players we lacked quality up top."

The Baggies, who are still bottom, could join them later on Saturday if they fail to beat Tottenham in the 3pm kick off.

The result means Palace are safe and are therefore the first top-flight team since Liverpool in the 1899-1900 season to avoid relegation despite losing their first seven matches of the season.