Newcastle's Callum Wilson (right) scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot against Leeds United's goalkeeper Joel Robles during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road in Leeds, England, May 13, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

LEEDS, England - Newcastle United suffered more jitters in its quest to finish in the Premier League's top four as the club drew 2-2 at relegation-threatened Leeds United but Southampton's agony is over after being relegated on Saturday.

Leeds defender Rasmus Kristensen's second-half equalizer denied Newcastle the victory that would have all but assured the club a place in next season's Champions League.

It could also prove vital in Leeds's bid to escape relegation although it remained third-bottom of the table with two games left.

Southampton's relegation has looked a certainty for a while and its decade-long stay in the top flight was officially over after a 2-0 home defeat by Fulham

Southampton's relegation has looked a certainty for a while and its decade-long stay in the top flight was officially over after a 2-0 home defeat by Fulham.

Only a win would have kept the club’s survival hopes alive but goals by Carlos Vinicius and substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic condemned it to a 24th defeat of a miserable season in which the club has sacked two managers. 

"Disappointing. It has been coming. We knew we were in a difficult position," Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse told the BBC. "From the first day of the season until now you can tell the standards have slipped."

The battle to avoid joining Southampton in the second tier remains fierce, though, with 16th-placed Nottingham Forest earning a point in a 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

Southampton has 24 points from 36 games, 19th-placed Leicester City has 30 from 35 with Leeds on 31 points from 36 games and Everton on 32 from 35. Steve Cooper's Forest has 34 points with two games left.

Everton host leaders Manchester City on Sunday with Leicester at home to Liverpool on Monday.

The afternoon began in thrilling fashion at Elland Road where Leeds took an early lead, missed a penalty, had two penalties scored against the club and had a man sent off.

Leeds took the lead in the seventh minute as Rodrigo got his head on Patrick Bamford's cross and though Nick Pope saved, Leeds captain Luke Ayling fired home a rebound.

Joelinton bundled over Junior Firpo in the box to give Leeds a penalty but Bamford's spot-kick was saved by Nick Pope.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was then hacked down by Maximillian Wober and Callum Wilson converted from the penalty spot. Newcastle was awarded a second penalty midway through the second half when Firpo handled and Wilson proved deadly once again.

READ MORE: Arsenal win 2-0 at Newcastle to stay in title hunt

Leeds battled back and Kristensen popped up in the 79th minute to hammer home a deflected equalizer before Firpo saw red in stoppage time for a second yellow card.

"In the space of a few minutes in the first half when we get a second penalty to go 2-0 up, I think I'd be here saying what a great three points that was today," Leeds interim manager Sam Allardyce said. "We shot ourselves in the foot."

Newcastle, beaten by Arsenal last week, remained third with 66 points, but Manchester United drew level with them after a 2-0 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers with Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho both on target.

Both sides have three games left but will be looking over their shoulders at Liverpool who has 62 points ahead of its clash with Leicester, although Juergen Klopp's team will have only two games remaining after that game.

Under pressure

Forest's Cooper has been under pressure for much of the season but his side is potentially one win away from surviving against the odds.

For the second game running Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice for Forest, putting the club ahead in the 13th minute and equalizing in the 62nd with a header. Raheem Sterling's double early in the second half had put 11th-placed Chelsea ahead, albeit briefly.

"Some positives to take out of it. A lot of the betting would have been for us to get nothing and we got something," said Cooper whose side face Arsenal next.

ALSO READ: Superb Newcastle thump woeful Everton 4-1 in Goodison romp

Crystal Palace beat Bournemouth 2-0 in the other game thanks to two goals by Eberechi Eze.

The title race continues on Sunday with Arsenal at home to Brighton and City at Everton.