After beating Aston Villa at the end of April, Fulham were firmly in the mix not only for European qualification but potentially for a Champions League spot.
They were just two points behind Brighton in sixth but three winless games since have seen dreams of a first season of continental football since 2011-12 evaporate.
A loss at Arsenal was not unexpected, the manner of the defeat by Bournemouth was hugely frustrating but victory at the league's bottom side would have kept Marco Silva's side in contention going into the final day.
Instead, a disappointing draw highlighted why they have ultimately come up short. There was a lack of cutting edge to convert the chances created in the first half while in the second period they failed to manufacture any opportunities of note despite enjoying the lion's share of the ball.
A huge swing in goal difference and the most unlikely sequence of results would now be needed for Fulham to make the top eight.
More realistically, the focus will instead turn to trying to end the season at home on a high and, with Silva's contract up in the summer and his future still up in the air, perhaps even a rousing send off for the Portuguese boss.
