Wigan Athletic relegated after 1-1 draw with Fulham
- Published
Despite the best efforts of their players, Wigan's hopes of survival now rest on an appeal against a 12-point deduction for going into administration
Wigan Athletic have been relegated from the Championship after being held to a draw by a Fulham side who would still have missed out on automatic promotion with a victory.
The Latics, whose 12-point deduction for going into administration means they finish in the bottom three, knew they needed a win and for other results to go their way to avoid the drop.
Their hopes now rest on an appeal against the sanction, while Fulham will have to settle for a play-off place after remaining below both Brentford and West Bromwich Albion, who ended as runners-up.
Wigan's hopes of staying in the division looked good when Kieffer Moore headed them ahead from close range in the first half.
Neeskens Kebano's sublime free-kick drew Fulham level, but Wigan spurned plenty of opportunities to secure the win that would have saved them from dropping into League One.
A remarkable finish at Griffin Park saw Barnsley claim a late win against Brentford to reach 49 points and move third from bottom.
But had Paul Cook's Wigan side made the most of their second-half chances, they would have finished above the Tykes on goal difference - even with their deduction.
Defeats for Hull City and Charlton Athletic see them join Wigan in the bottom three, while Fulham will meet Cardiff City in the two legged play-off semi-finals.
Wigan left to rue wasted chances
The shared desperation for points was reflected in a high-tempo, open game that saw chances aplenty at both ends.
Aleksandar Mitrovic should have put the visitors ahead inside 90 seconds but blasted a shot wildly over the bar from a cross by Kebano, who then had a fierce strike beaten away by keeper David Marshall.
Sam Morsy and Kal Naismith both went close at the other end before Moore headed an increasingly impressive Latics ahead from Nathan Byrne's floated far-post cross.
Kieffer Moore's first-half header was his fourth in five games and his 10th in 36 league appearances this season
Fulham responded, with Josh Onomah, Mitrovic and Harry Arter all sending efforts just off target
And they continued to show greater urgency after the interval, with Kebano's curled free-kick quickly making it 1-1.
But Wigan created the better openings thereafter, with Leon Balogun missing the best of the lot when he somehow headed too near to keeper Marek Rodak when just five yards from goal.
Both sides had further chances in a frantic finish, notably Naismith and Joe Williams for Wigan, who were unable to find the goal that would have saved them on goal difference.
Latics' survival hopes rest with lawyers
Wigan's relegation is particularly cruel given an incredible run of form which has seen them lose just one of their final 15 games.
They matched one of the best sides in the division throughout, but that will be of little consolation and they are now pinning all their hopes on their lawyers earning a late reprieve.
The appeal against the points deduction is due to take place on 31 July, and Wigan have appointed leading barrister, David Phillips QC.
Wigan were placed in administration on 1 July, just weeks after the club changed Hong Kong-based owners. Their argument is nobody - neither at Wigan nor the English Football League - could have known what Au Yeung Wai Kay was going to do and therefore the punishment should be withdrawn.
A preferred buyer for the troubled Latics has been chosen, according to administrator Gerald Krasner, bringing further hope that things are on the up off the pitch.
Match reaction
Wigan manager Paul Cook told BBC Radio Manchester: "I've just got to say how proud I am of the players.
"Unfortunately we're going to feel like we've let them down tonight, that's just the way it'll be, so there's nothing we can do about it.
"I felt the team did as well as they could. I felt we created chances continually in the second half and we just needed one of them to drop and unfortunately it didn't."
Fulham boss Scott Parker: "I have sympathy for Paul and Wigan, and the job he's done.
"I think we've been realistic. To bring the season to the last game was a massive positive for us.
"We lost two games coming out of lockdown and since then we've been in very good form, the team have done remarkably well - that's seven unbeaten now.
"Of course, when you are so close there is that element of 'can we do it?', but at the same time you're relying on other teams to slip up.
"We move on. We go into the play-offs in form and with momentum."