Southampton boss Ruben Selles does not know what the future holds after a 4-3 defeat at Nottingham Forest left them on the brink of Premier League relegation.
Saints were on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller at the City Ground and they will lose their top-tier status at the weekend if they fail to beat Fulham or results go against them elsewhere.
In contrast, Forest climbed out of the bottom three with a vital win which came courtesy of Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace, Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalty and Danilo’s brilliant team goal to give realistic hope that they can avoid the drop in their first season back in the top tier for 23 years.
Carlos Alcaraz, Lyanco and James Ward-Prowse goals ensured the Saints were always in the game, but they are now staring the drop to the Championship in the face.
Selles, who took over from Nathan Jones on a deal until the end of the season, would like to stay at the club, but says that is not for him to decide.
“I try to do my best and as I said before I expected to win more football matches,” he said.
“It’s a decision that the club needs to make. I would be happy to be here for the next 10 years as I have said many times.
“But it is not for me to make that decision. I can only work every day and of course, in the situation we are in right now, it’s so much uncertainty for everybody.
“We just need to handle it in the best way possible, whatever happens, and then continue facing forward whatever it is.
“And if it is facing forward – if it’s together then it’s better.
“The club will present an agenda for the coming days or weeks on how it is going to deal with that if it happens. That is for the club to respond.
“I can tell you what we are going to do for the next weeks, we are going to just keep working as much as we can and keep the situations for the future for the people that need to be responsible for that.”
Forest took full advantage of defeats for Leeds and Leicester to move up to 16th, three points above the drop zone with three games to play.
Boss Steve Cooper says the fight against the drop is not over, but that this could be a huge moment.
“We feel like we are playing OK and we have won two games in three,” he said. “You always want consecutive wins and where we are that is not easy to do, so to win two in three is a real positive thing.
“It just gives us a little bit more confidence and momentum to just go into the next one. For sure we are going to need more points and more positive results.
“It is a massive win tonight and an important one, but it will be even bigger if we build on it.
“That has to be the plan from now. We will start the cycle of putting one game to bed and preparing for the next one.
“No days off and the work ethic has to be at its maximum in giving the players everything they need to be ready for the next game.”
Nikola Jokic will be available for Game 5 of the Denver Nuggets’ Western Conference semi-final series against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday in Denver.
Jokic reportedly has been fined $25,000, but the NBA decided on Monday they would not suspend the superstar centre for his involvement in a scuffle with Suns owner Mat Ishbia on Sunday that resulted in a technical foul for the two-time league MVP.
There was speculation that Jokic could be suspended for an incident that occurred with less than 3 minutes to go in the second quarter in the Suns’ 129-124 win to even the series at 2-2.
The play began when Jokic blocked a Deandre Ayton shot sending the ball heading out of bounds by the baseline.
The ball ended up in the arm of Ishbia, who cradled it under his arm as Jokic attempted to grab it back.
Ishbia did not immediately return the ball and it flipped a few rows back as Jokic tried to pull it from his arm.
As Jokic then reached for the ball he raised his elbow up to Ishbia’s chest and made contact.
Ishbia then fell down into his seat with his arms raised.
The refs then huddled to discuss what transpired, and decided Jokic’s actions were worthy of a technical foul.
That decision, however, sparked significant debate as to whether Ishbia flopped or if the Denver big man used excessive force.
Kevin Durant ended up making the technical free throw to tie the score at 55.
Jokic defended his actions after the game in which he finished with a career-high 53 points on 20-of-30 shooting, along with 11 assists.
Earlier Monday, Ishbia showed no ill-will toward Jokic, tweeting out that he was hopeful the league wouldn’t punish him.
“Great win for the Suns last night in an amazing series so far!” Ishbia posted. “That should be and is the only story. Suspending of fining anyone over last nights incident would not be right. I have a lot of respect for Jokic and don’t want to see anything like that. Excited for game 5! Go Suns!”
The home team has won every game in this series, and the Nuggets are 5-0 in Denver this postseason.
Jokic has been outstanding in this series, averaging 36.5 points, 14.0 rebounds and 9.5 assists in the four games.
Todd Cantwell believes Rangers will come back next season ready to battle for honours.
A trophyless campaign for the Govan club has four cinch Premiership games remaining following the 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox on Sunday where the former Norwich player, who joined Michael Beale’s squad in January, scored the only goal of the game.
Rangers have been linked with several players including Cantwell’s former Carrow Road team-mate Kieran Dowell, but the 25-year-old midfielder knows what is expected next season, no matter who is at the club.
He said: “Playing for Rangers – you’ve got a big responsibility.
“This season hasn’t gone how we wanted to go so it’s important for us next season to be in a great position to change the outcome.
“Pre-season is always important. I know the manager is looking at recruitment but it’s also important for us as individuals to get your body in the place where you are ready to start the season well.
“In terms of recruitment, it’s kind of irrelevant because you’ve a group of players in pre-season all fighting to be in the starting 11.
“We’ve got everything to play for next season and the hunger in the dressing room will be real.
“Whoever comes in, whoever leaves, whoever is playing for Rangers, it’s important to know you’ll be fighting for your spot and to win every game.”
On the link with Dowell, Cantwell said: “He’s a good player. He’s someone I enjoyed playing with, we had success at Norwich and he’s a top lad.
“None of that is really to do with me. It’s the manager’s choice, the club’s choice and his choice.
“If that is something that happens then I’m sure the Rangers fans will be happy.”
Cantwell would recommend Scottish football to players from the English Championship but said: “It’s important you weigh up your opportunities.
“I can only speak for myself but it was a massive decision but also one that I’m really proud of making.
“It’s not something that is particularly common and I saw it as an opportunity to come up here and show what I’m about.”
Celtic defender Greg Taylor admits it was an amazing feeling to deliver the title in style but neither he nor his team-mates will sit back and reflect.
Taylor is determined to push on and improve after wrapping up back-to-back cinch Premiership crowns with victory over Hearts on Sunday.
A record Scottish top-flight points tally of 107 is in Celtic’s sights if they win their last four games and then they have a shot at the treble when they face Inverness in the Scottish Cup final.
Taylor said: “It’s a club that demands trophies, demands success and to deliver it playing a brand of football the way we do is amazing.
“We have not rested on what we did last year at all. We knew there was more in us and there is still more to come.
“We want to improve going into next season but most importantly we want to finish this season strongly first. We have got four league games and a cup final so we have more to look forward to.
“We are all so driven and keen for success and we believe every last word the gaffer says to us is going to help us and stand us in good stead.
“It’s been a really successful season thus far but there is still more to come.”
Manager Ange Postecoglou praised his players for their self-motivation after their title triumph and Taylor feels the collective attitude is special.
“It’s something you have got to appreciate because it doesn’t come easy to have that amount of boys that are so keen for success and keen to improve their game,” the 25-year-old said.
“They want of course to improve and wherever they end up. But right now, in the here and now for Celtic, every player in that changing room loves it, and long may it continue.
“There is such a strong belief. We don’t waste any training session, any game.”
The former Kilmarnock left-back has produced his best football this season.
“I hope so because I aim to improve as I go along,” he said. “Thus far it’s been my best level but hopefully there’s more to come from myself as well.
“It’s just a small part in a collective. The real reason we have been so successful this year is the collective.
“Everyone has played their part, 20-25 boys have all contributed throughout the season, so real credit to the whole group.”
Everton stunned Brighton with a 5-1 win on the south coast that moved the Toffees out of the relegation zone on a day that left Southampton in deep trouble and edged Leicester closer to the drop.
Just three matches, all with big implications at the bottom, produced 21 goals as sorry Leicester went down 5-3 at Fulham, dropping into the relegation zone along with Leeds as Nottingham Forest climbed out with a 4-3 win over basement boys Southampton.
The biggest smiles were on Everton faces as fans celebrated only their second league away win of the season, and one of the more unlikely results of the campaign, as they took out some of their considerable frustrations on Europe-chasing Brighton.
A quick break saw Abdoulaye Doucoure poke Everton in front after just 34 seconds, and the Mali midfielder made it 2-0 just before the break as he met Dwight McNeil’s cross with a stunning strike.
Alex Iwobi was trying to set up Doucoure for a hat-trick six minutes later but when he over-hit his pass, McNeil picked up the loose ball and struck a cross which went in off Jason Steele for an own goal.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made four changes at the break and his side were much improved, but Everton hit them on the break in the 76th minute when McNeil rounded Steele, celebrating the fourth goal before he even applied the finish.
Although Alexis Mac Allister got one back soon after, finally beating the superb Jordan Pickford, there would be no denying Everton a huge win as McNeil added an emphatic strike in stoppage time.
That puts the Toffees 17th, two points clear of the bottom three but still one behind Forest, who took a step away from the trapdoor by pushing Southampton all but through it.
Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice in four minutes midway through the first half to put Forest in control, first sweeping home Brennan Johnson’s low cross, then rifling in a volley when Southampton failed to clear.
The visitors were back in it soon after when Carlos Alcaraz slotted home but the two-goal Forest lead was restored from the penalty spot by Morgan Gibbs-White after Ainsley Maitland-Niles caught Johnson.
Lyanco’s 51st minute header restored Southampton belief and the visitors were on top until Forest broke away with 17 minutes left and Danilo lifted the ball over Alex McCarthy.
James Ward-Prowse converted a stoppage-time penalty but there was no avoiding a defeat that leaves the Saints eight points adrift with three to play.
The goal rush had started earlier in the day at Craven Cottage, where Fulham tore into Leicester to end their three-game unbeaten run and leave them second from bottom.
Leicester, who started the day outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone, were ripped apart in the first half as Willian, Carlos Vinicius and Tom Cairney gave Fulham a commanding 3-0 lead before the break.
Cairney then got his second early in the second half before Leicester finally woke up, too late to change the outcome.
Harvey Barnes pulled one back but Willian’s second made it 5-1 before Barnes scored again and James Maddison added a late penalty to at least limit the damage to Leicester’s goal difference.
Nottingham Forest took a huge step towards Premier League safety with a dramatic 4-3 win over Southampton, whose impending relegation to the Championship could be confirmed at the weekend.
Forest climbed out of the bottom three thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi’s brace, Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalty and Danilo’s brilliant team goal to give realistic hope that they can avoid the drop on their first season back in the top tier for 23 years.
They took full advantage of defeats for Leeds and Leicester to move up to 16th, three points above the drop zone with three games to play.
Southampton’s situation is far bleaker and, despite goals from Carlos Alcaraz, Lyanco and James Ward-Prowse to keep them in the game, their 10-year stay in the top flight will end if they fail to beat Fulham on Saturday, while results elsewhere could also send them down even if they do win.
It was a thrilling end-to-end encounter at the City Ground that completed a bumper Bank Holiday goals bonanza as the 21 goals scored on Monday are a Premier League record for a three-game matchday.
This clash was always going to have a massive say on who goes down and the Forest fans received the memo, delivering a spine-tingling atmosphere before kick-off.
And after an edgy start in the driving rain, where Southampton were the better team, two goals in three minutes from Awoniyi lifted the roof off the City Ground.
The first came in the 18th minute after a devastating attack at speed, where after a quick free-kick, Danilo’s long ball set Brennan Johnson free on the right and his first-time cross was perfect for Awoniyi to fire home from 10 yards out.
The Nigeria international soon doubled his tally, and in some style too, as he hit an instinctive volley on the turn after Danilo’s improvised pass in the area.
Southampton had folded and were in danger of being blown away but gave themselves a lifeline in the 25th minute as Gibbs-White’s loose ball allowed a quick break that saw Stuart Armstrong play in Alcaraz and the Argentinian converted from close range.
There were a few dicey moments as Saints pushed for a leveller, but Forest crucially restored their two-goal lead just before the break.
Johnson nipped in to take the ball away from Ainsley Maitland-Niles and was on the end of a kick, with referee Michael Oliver taking his time to deliberate before pointing to the spot.
Gibbs-White made no mistake from the penalty, sending his effort down the middle to give Forest a big half-time advantage.
Southampton knew they were in the last-chance saloon and came out firing, reducing the arrears in the 51st minute.
Lyanco climbed highest from Ward-Prowse’s corner to power a header that was too hot for Keylor Navas to handle.
That totally changed the complexion of the game and Forest were suddenly hanging on as Saints chased an unlikely equaliser.
Another Lyanco header from a corner caused chaos in the Forest six-yard box as Navas came under a barrage of dangerous set-pieces.
But the hosts eased their nerves in the 73rd minute with a brilliant team goal converted by Danilo.
Johnson surged down the right, centred for Gibbs-White, whose delightful deft flick teed the Brazilian up and he made no mistake for his third goal in three games.
Felipe had another goal chalked off in stoppage time and then Saints were given a lifeline as Sam Surridge fouled Romeo Lavia, with Ward-Prowse sending the late penalty straight down the middle.
But Forest held on to leave Southampton staring into the abyss of the second tier.
Everton boss Sean Dyche insisted his side never doubted themselves after a thumping 5-1 Premier League victory over Brighton lifted the Toffees two points clear of the relegation zone.
It was Everton’s first away league win in 14 attempts and could not have come at a more opportune time, with just three matches now remaining to secure their top-flight safety.
Abdoulaye Doucoure’s strike after 33 seconds laid down what retrospectively ultimately felt like an emphatic opening statement as both he and Dwight McNeil went on to scores braces on either side of the half.
Dyche said: “People will be out there thinking right, OK, there’s life in that team but we’ve never lost sight of that.
“It just reminds the players that their work ethic, their commitment to the cause, their commitment to the group is really important because I know there’s quality.
“I’ve always believed there’s quality. I’ve said it many times, but talking about it doesn’t win you a game. It’s the collective mentality to go and deliver everything you’ve got.
“We were very frustrated not to come away with all three points (against Leicester) but we got a reward for carrying on that mentality in their performances tonight.”
Doucoure netted his second when he volleyed the ball home after 29 minutes before McNeil’s cross further buried Brighton, with it deflecting off Jordan Steele, who had stooped to save but instead felt the ball bounce off the back of his leg and in.
Alexis Mac Allister clawed one back before McNeil’s first but the Brighton burial was not complete until McNeil fired home the visitors’ fifth in the embers of second-half stoppage-time.
Victory meant Dyche’s side are safe for the time being, with league leaders Manchester City up next followed by encounters with Wolves and Bournemouth.
“They’re very high feeling the feel-good factor,” he added. “But it’s only another step. I said that after Arsenal, and sometimes people forget that. There’s three more big steps we’ve got to take.”
Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi, meanwhile, suggested his side’s performance revealed they were not yet ready to go toe-to-toe with the best in the business, though he was unspecific about whether he was looking at England’s top four or more broadly to the other side of the Channel.
It could still be possible for Brighton to secure European football with a seventh-place finish, but De Zerbi’s men would feel more satisfied with a higher position.
He said: “Of course we can lose the game. We can lose against Everton, but I’m disappointed for the first half because it was tough.
“We showed we are not ready yet to compete and to achieve the big target.
“But I am speaking about mentality, not other things, not other parts of football.
“It’s not easy because playing in the last period, three games in a week is difficult if you are not used to playing so many games.
“But if we want to improve, if we want to fix our target higher, we have to improve very fast.”
Fabio Capello reckons Manchester City are “the best team in the world” as Pep Guardiola’s side prepare for their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
The tie is a rematch of last year’s last-four clash, where City were knocked out in dramatic circumstances at the Bernabeu as Real mounted a stunning comeback to win after extra time.
A Champions League trophy is the one piece of silverware that has so far evaded Guardiola during his nearly seven years with City.
Speaking at the Laureus Awards on Monday, former England boss Capello highlighted the difference prolific striker Erling Haaland has made to City and his belief they are now the finest team on the planet.
He said: “I think City is the best team in the world. This year makes the difference.
“Last year, (they) missed the forward and this year you have a really important forward. Not only this – you have 24 players.
“When you make the substitution, always a fantastic player is entering. Real Madrid, I think (have) 14, 15 players.
“They probably will be a little bit tired (after winning the Copa del Rey on Saturday evening), but they have the best coach in the world, Carlo Ancelotti.”
Two-time former Real Madrid boss Capello added: “Carlo knows everything about the openings, and we prepare the games really, really well. I hope, Carlo, we will win.”
Ex-Inter Milan and Real Madrid winger Luis Figo echoed Capello’s sentiments about City’s improvement, but warned that they had their work cut out against the 14-time European Cup winners.
“I think (Manchester City) are one of the best teams in the world now,” the former Portugal star said.
“They are playing very good football, and in the last years, they are always in the competition, they have the experience already, they know already what to do so they don’t lose like last year.
“But they play against the best club in the history of the Champions League.
“Sometimes I think the history of the competition, that helps you in different kinds of moments and important moments in this competition, and everyone, I think they think that Manchester City is now a favourite for the games against Real Madrid.
“But you have to count the history and count that Real Madrid is always alive until the last second of the game.
“It will be nice to see, but I think for sure they are more than ready to win this beautiful competition.”
Figo is hoping another of his former clubs, Inter Milan, can get the better of rivals AC Milan in the other semi-final.
He said: “I expect that Inter can win, and probably that will happen, I hope!
“I think Italy have to be proud this year that they have two teams in the semi-final. Fantastic performance in the Champions League.
“You know anything can happen, but it’s beautiful in the same time that you have the chance to see two big games of the best club competition in the world in the same city.”
:: Fabio Capello and Luis Figo were speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards. Find out more at www.laureus.com
Sampdoria have been relegated from Serie A for the first time in over a decade following a 2-0 defeat at Udinese.
First-half goals from Roberto Pereyra and Adam Masina proved enough to confirm the visitors’ fate with four games of the season still to go.
Relegation may prove to be the least of their worries as the club continues to battle a financial crisis which has led to fears of bankruptcy.
Sampdoria won the Scudetto in 1991 and reached the European Cup final at Wembley the following year, when a team featuring the likes of Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli lost 1-0 to Barcelona.
They have been uninterrupted members of the Italian top-flight since the 2012-13 season, but have increasingly struggled in recent years amid financial concerns.
Meanwhile, Empoli effectively guaranteed their survival as goals from Nicolo Cambiagni and Francesco Caputo secured a 2-1 win over Salernitana, for whom Krzysztof Piatek replied late on.
Orlando Magic wing Paolo Banchero headlines the NBA All-Rookie first team as the only unanimous selection.
The league revealed the first and second teams on Monday, and the 20-year-old Banchero was the only player to be selected to the first team on all 100 ballots.
Banchero, who was previously announced as the NBA Rookie of the Year on April 25, is joined on the first team by Utah Jazz centre Walker Kessler, Indiana Pacers small forward Bennedict Mathurin, Sacramento Kings small forward Keegan Murray and Oklahoma City Thunder wing Jalen Williams.
The second team featured two pairs of teammates – Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons and Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason from the Houston Rockets – as well as San Antonio Spurs power forward Jeremy Sochan.
Banchero, who was the first pick of last year’s draft, received 98 out of the 100 possible first-place votes for Rookie of the Year award, with Kessler receiving the other two to finish in second. Williams was the third finalist.
Banchero led all rookies in scoring with an average of 20.0 points per game, while his average of 3.7 assists ranked third among all qualifying first-year players and average of 6.9 rebounds placed fourth.
Kessler, who was the 22nd overall pick of the 2022 draft, ranked fourth among all players with an average of 2.34 blocks – the most by any rookie since the New York Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson averaged 2.44 in 2018-19. Kessler’s average of 8.4 rebounds per game ranked second among rookies, and he also averaged 9.2 points.
Williams, who was selected 12th, averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.37 steals – the highest average by any rookie.
Duren led all rookies in rebounds with an average of 8.9 per game, while Ivey’s average of 5.2 assists were the most by any first-year player.
Sale boss Alex Sanderson has admitted his interest in bringing England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie to the club amid reports his proposed move to Montpellier has fallen through.
The 29-year-old Exeter forward was due to join the Top 14 club this summer, but reports from France have suggested the deal has broken down on medical grounds with Cowan-Dickie working his way back from ankle surgery.
Montpellier have been linked with Tolu Latu, previously a target for the Sharks, and director of rugby Sanderson revealed during a press conference on Monday that he had heard the Australia international had agreed a deal for “twice the amount of money that we offered him.”
Asked if he would be interested in Cowan-Dickie, he said: “Yes, why wouldn’t you? He’s a great player.
“I don’t know if we would be in the right price point, but he’s got mates up here as well, he fits our kind of game model in that Ewan Ashman, Akker van de Merwe mould, doesn’t he? He’s a banger, so he ticks the box on a lot of fronts there.
“But I haven’t spoken to him, I haven’t spoken to Luke, so there’s nothing there in terms of that actually materialising.”
In the meantime, Sanderson will concentrate on the task of preparing his players for Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership semi-final clash with reigning champions Leicester Tigers and to that end, has enlisted the help of rugby league great Jamie Peacock.
Peacock won nine Super League Grand Finals, four Challenge Cup finals and four World Club Challenges during his glittering playing career, and Sanderson is hoping his “champion attitude” will rub off on his charges.
He said: “We’ve got JP coming in, who’ll have a little chat to us about what champion attitude looks like.
“He’s won nine Super Leagues and four World Challenges or whatever it is. He was a legend, so we’ll hopefully take a little leaf out of his book and add it to our own.”
Sale last won the Premiership final in 2006, and lost out in the semi-finals to Exeter two years ago.
This time around, they have proven winners George Ford, who was in the Tigers side which lifted the trophy last season, and Manu Tuilagi among their ranks, and Sanderson is convinced their winning mentality is key.
Asked how important it could be, he said: “It’s crucial, isn’t it, because these are leaders who come to the fore at this time of the season.
“There are guys that have to step up on the field and are able to keep their heads and respond and find ways when the plan doesn’t work – which it invariably doesn’t against the better teams – find ways of navigating to good outcomes, to better outcomes.
“Being able to draw on their experience is crucial, like I did this morning and I will tomorrow as we go through the week. I’ll continue to lean on them, not that it’s a chore for them, they want to.”
Dwight McNeil scored a second-half brace as Everton climbed into 16th and two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone to dampen Brighton’s European dreams with a thumping 5-1 victory at the Amex.
It was a shocking first half for the seventh-placed hosts, who fell behind after just 33 seconds through Abdoulaye Doucoure, who later bagged a first-half brace.
Albion’s woes were exacerbated when goalkeeper Jason Steele turned the ball into his own net and McNeil added another for Everton in the second half.
Alexis Mac Allister was able to claw one back for the home side, but the rout was firmly recorded when McNeil scored his second late in stoppage time.
Like their Merseyside rivals on Saturday, the away end largely spurned the call to commemorate the King’s coronation with the singing of the national anthem and attempted to drown it out with a rendition of Spirit of the Blues.
Those chants quickly turned to elated cheers when Dominic Calvert-Lewin collected the ball with his back to Brighton’s goal and – with a neat pivot – crossed to Doucoure at the far post, who obligingly tapped home.
Brighton worked a free-kick to Facundo Buonanotte on the right, but Jordan Pickford was alert to his nodded effort from a tight angle, picking it out of the air with little need for effort.
It was the visitors piling on the pressure at the 25-minute mark thanks to some fine work from Alex Iwobi, who collected the ball inside his own half and cooly controlled it in the final third, where Albion were eventually able to shut down the initial wave of attack.
Kaoru Mitoma tried to set up Danny Welbeck who could not make contact as he slid toward the Everton goal, while control once again began to feel like an elusive pursuit for the hosts, who found themselves at the mercy of Doucoure.
This time he latched onto McNeil’s cross from the left before volleying the ball past Steele to double Everton’s advantage on 29 minutes.
Brighton hoped that would be the end to their disastrous first half but McNeil had other ideas as he sent in a cross which Steele stooped forward to save, but instead further buried his side when the ball deflected in off the back of his leg.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made four changes to start the second half including the introduction of Evan Ferguson, who was available for the first time after missing four matches with an ankle injury.
It was fellow substitute Solly March who first tested Pickford and lent the Seagulls a spark they had been sorely missing, getting stuck in and winning a corner.
Ferguson came close on the subsequent set-piece as he forced a good save from the Toffees shot-stopper with a nodded effort at the far post.
Albion finally started to resemble a superior-looking side and remained camped in Everton’s half as Ferguson came inches away from pulling one back with a left-footed effort tipped away by Pickford before Mac Allister hit the crossbar.
It was the visitors, however, who extended their advantage against the run of play after Iwobi broke down the left and flicked the ball to McNeil, who evaded Lewis Dunk’s late sliding challenge and patiently tucked in the Toffees’ fourth.
Three minutes later, Mitoma’s rebound took a fortunate bounce off Mac Allister and in, but McNeil was not done for the night as he netted Everton’s fifth in added time.
Shaun Maloney was pleased with the way his Wigan players dealt with another “hard…difficult” week by ending their Sky Bet Championship campaign with a 0-0 draw against Rotherham.
With the Millers already safe, there was always going to be an end-of-season feel to this dead rubber.
Even more so considering the Wigan players had not been paid on time for a fifth time this season, and half of their regular line-up were not named in the squad.
Young Wigan goalkeeper Sam Tickle was the star man on his league debut, but neither side looked capable of troubling the scorers on a miserable afternoon at the DW.
“I actually really liked the second half,” said Maloney. “We had to change things slightly at half-time, and I really liked the mentality we had.
“The first half was a little bit tentative. In fairness, some of the players hadn’t played for a while – or at least alongside each other for a while.
“I just told them I needed a bit more aggression and belief in that second half, at the end of what has been a very, very difficult few days.
“And there were a number of positives to come out of it, especially the performance of a number of young players.”
When asked about the off-field situation, Maloney added: “It’s been hard, very hard.
“I think we all expected and hoped that these kinds of days were behind us. But, yes, it was very difficult again for everyone to deal with.
“There’s just been a lack of clarity, which makes it difficult for me to manage the team and manage the players individually.
“And I have to say a massive thanks again to the squad, five of whom played despite not having been paid.
“That’s not to discount any of the other players who did exactly the same earlier this season when this happened before.
“It’s just a really special group really, given what they’ve been through.
“They’ve gone above and beyond this year for the club, and people shouldn’t forget that.”
For Rotherham boss Matt Taylor, it was a case of enjoying the day with the job for the season having already been done.
“It was their moment, this, and for the players,” he said. “It was a reward and recognition for what they’ve done over the previous 45 games.
“We did what we set out to do, and we achieved that last Monday. This was a celebration of that.
“In the first half, I quite liked us as a team, and we created enough openings to probably go ahead in the game.
“In the second half, we became a little bit disjointed, along with the game.
“But I don’t want to read too much into that, because we’d already done our work for the season. And it was a great moment at the end for the players, to be able to celebrate with the fans.
“I’ve just been told that’s been our best away following for nine years, and I think that shows the connection between the fans and this group of players – and it’s all about trust.
“I came in a couple of months into the season, and I’ve started to build that trust with them, as they have with me.
“The fans are the same, and they’ll only do that if we achieve our goals – and this year, that was staying in the league.”
Pep Guardiola insisted revenge was not his motivation as he prepares Manchester City for their Champions League semi-final rematch with Real Madrid.
City were beaten in heartbreaking fashion by the Spanish giants in the last four a year ago and have a chance to make amends this term.
The first leg of their latest encounter takes place at the Bernabeu on Tuesday and Guardiola is focusing on the game in hand rather than looking back 12 months.
The City manager said: “It was tough but we made an exceptional first game in Manchester and played a really good game here.
“In general it was a good performance but it was not enough. You congratulate them and accept it and now one year later we are here.
“We are not here for revenge. It is another opportunity. One day we will get it. We will get to the final and win it.
“It didn’t happen last season as we played Real Madrid and in this competition they know exactly what they have to do.”
Guardiola admitted, however, last season’s loss was hard to stomach at the time.
City controlled the tie in the second leg and looked on course for the final, leading 1-0 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate heading into injury time.
Yet they dramatically capitulated, conceding twice in quick succession and going on to lose in extra time.
It added to the catalogue of near misses experienced by the club since Guardiola took charge in 2016, which includes defeat in the 2021 final.
Guardiola said: “Seven years ago we wanted to win the Champions League. Last season it was (like) the end of the world but here we are again.
“Being stable is the most important thing. The important thing is we are trying to get better every year.
“We were prepared last year too. We are the same manager, mainly the same players but completely different games.
“The difference is the second leg is at home and everything will be decided in Manchester.”
Unlike Guardiola, midfielder Rodri admitted revenge was on his mind.
The Spain midfielder said: “Football gives you the option to have revenge.
“We have the philosophy you can always learn from past experiences. We did a great two games but football is like this and we didn’t go through.
“We will fight again. We will try to learn from what we did bad in that moment.”
City are without defender Nathan Ake after the Netherlands international suffered a calf injury in Saturday’s Premier League victory over Leeds.
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