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An enthralling game saw Swansea City reach the promise land of the Premier League following a scintillating 4-2 play-off final triumph over Reading.
Three first half goals from the Swans ensured that the Premier League will see its first Welsh team next season as a frantic 20 minutes in the first proved enough to see off the challenge of Reading, and gave Swansea manager, Brendan Rodgers, the perfect response for his former side – having been sacked after just six months in charge at the Madejski Stadium.
Scott Sinclair scored three goals for the first time in a playoff final since Clive Mendonca acheived that feat in 1998. It was enough to destroy Reading’s spirit and hopes of regaining top-flight status.
Reading was quickly undone in 120 seconds of the first half. Zurab Khizanishvili, who was already on a yellow card, was beaten by the pace of Nathan Dyer and the Georgian brought down the Swans man. Referee Phil Dowd pointed to the spot and the nervous few moments for Reading continued as they could have been reduced to ten men, but leniency was on offer from Dowd and the on-loan defender remained on the field.
Punishment was dealt out from the boot of Sinclair as he confidently stroked the ball past Adam Frederici to give the Welsh side the lead.
With Reading down, Swansea put the boot in again. A run down the right from Stephen Dobbie beat the Reading defence and his daisy cutting cross was redirected by Frederici into the path of the man of the moment Sinclair, who tapped in from three yards.
Brian McDermott’s side were capitulating whilst Swansea could not believe their luck.
Reading entered a period of the game where they were content to just hold on for dear life. The attacking impetus was sacrificed for control. This spell was smashed to smithereens when Nathan Dyer powered down Reading’s left flank again and his cross was deflected by Khizanishvili into the path of Stephen Dobbie who’s comfortable finish belied the pressure he was under.
Swansea’s Premier League dreams was becoming a reality in front of them whilst Reading’s season was dissolving. The Playoffs were dealing the cruelty out again.
As the players returned to the dressing rooms for half-time, matters continued to deteriorate for Reading with sub, Jay Tabb and coach, Nigel Gibbs both being sent off following foul and abusive language aimed towards the officials.
The need for a Reading response after the interval was vital, and McDermott’s side were quick to fight back.
That response arrived when a cross from Jobi McAnuff was met at the near post by Noel Hunt who flicked header deflected off of Swan’s defender Joe Allen and beyond De Vries in the Swansea net. Game on.
The Reading spirit was tremendous and the revival moved up a gear when from another corner, captain Matt Mills’ header gave the Royals their second goal. The mood inside Wembley was turned on it’s head and it was Swansea’s turn to withdraw into their shell.
At this point in the game, the result was as delicately balanced as it could be with neither side holding the whip. Reading could have levelled matters if Jem Karacan’s shot did not hit the post.
But with the Royals seemingly edging their way from passengers towards the driving seat, Swansea were given the hammer to apply the final nail in the coffin, after a needless foul by Andy Griffin saw Sinclair grab his hat-trick from the spot.
Reading didn’t give up and the application they showed in the final period of the game was commendable, but the work of Sinclair was too much and the Welsh side can look forward to welcoming the likes of Manchester United to south Wales come August.
