Premier League: Middlesbrough on brink of relegation; Hull City, Swansea battle on

London: Gaston Ramirez's sending off cost struggling Middlesbrough dear on Saturday as a 4-0 whipping by Bournemouth left them nine points shy of safety in the Premier League.

While they look set to be joined by north east neighbours and bottom side Sunderland in the second tier next term both Hull and Swansea enjoyed victories to keep their hopes alive of staying up.

Hull's was the more remarkable in that they set Middlesbrough an example in overcoming having just 10 men -- Oumar Niasse being dismissed in the first-half -- to beat a listless Watford 2-0.

Swansea rode their luck a little at home to Stoke -- Marko Arnautovic skying a penalty attempt -- but in the end were deserving of the 2-0 win which left them still third from bottom and two points adrift of Hull.

The day's other match saw West Ham eke out a tedious 0-0 draw with Everton -- the point should be enough to ensure the Hammers remain in the elite next season while Everton moved above Arsenal into sixth spot.