Reading – Swansea City

A huge clash in prospect at Wembley. Reading and Swansea face-off for place in the Premier League and a lorry-load of cash.

Brian McDermott leads out Reading, looking to lead them back into England's top flight. Brendan Rodgers once occupied the Royal's hotseat, now his Swansea team will try to become the first Welsh side to play in the Premier League.

The two teams are on the pitch, doing an obscene amount of handshaking and appreciative nodding. Almost kick-off time...

<b>KICK OFF</b> Reading get us started!

Brian McDermott was a scout for Brendan Rodgers during his time in Berkshire, he has done a fantastic job to propel Reading up the table.

Chaos early doors! Reading flying forward and Shane Long feeds the returning Jimmy Kebe. The winger's low cross is spilled by Dorus De Vries and very nearly falls back to Long.

Terrible tackle by Matt Mills on the edge of the penalty area, Swansea free kick in a wonderful position...

After an overly-tense build-up, Borini shanks his free kick well over. A very lively start.

I'm going to try and keep these references to a minimum, but I should mention at least once that this match is worth loads of money. There, I've said it. As irritating as that statistic has become, it will make a huge difference to one of these clubs.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Andy Griffin</b> with a flying tackle on Scott Sinclair. It's full-blooded and he's in the book.

Another Kebe surge forward, another low cross and once again it's hooked clear. Reading will be delighted he is fit enough to play.

First corner of the day goes to Brian McDermott's side...

Jobi McAnuff's corner is hoofed clear at the nearpost.

Andy Griffin attempts to battle beyond Joe Allen in the corner flag, but the young Swansea native does well and earns a free kick.

Fabio Borini, the striker on-loan from Chelsea, thinks he has pinched the ball off Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, but the referee blows his whistle as the Italian looks to find the net.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Borini</b> is in the book for his protests.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Zurab Khizanishvili</b> also into the book for getting too involved. Two defenders already cautioned for Reading.

Reading have made the better start, once again Kebe is involved. His run forward is stopped, but the loose ball finds Long. The Irishman tries to find Noel Hunt on the far post, but his cross is over hit.

Another Reading chance arrives through Kebe. He draws in two defenders before feeding Jem Karacan, his deflected shot wrong foots De Vries and comes dangerously close to bouncing into the net.

Reading appealing for a penalty, Noel Hunt's cross strikes Garry Monk on the arm but it would have been very harsh to award a spot kick.

<b>PENALTY TO SWANSEA!!!</b> Khizanishvili trips Nathan Dyer as he scampers towards goal. What a chance for Scott Sinclair...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Sinclair sends Federici the wrong way!</b> An extremely calm finish from the youngster!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Swansea and Scott Sinclair score again!!!</b> 36 seconds since he converted the penalty, Adam Federici can only palm a low cross into Sinclair's path, and he gleefully slots the ball home.

A huge blow for Reading, who had been the much better team in the opening exchanges.

An incredible minute of football. Reading have been absolutely rocked by Sinclair's brace, and they are lucky Khizanishvili didn't receive a second yellow card for his foul on Dyer.

Can Reading find a response? They need to score the next goal of the match against a very strong Swansea defence.

Understandly, Swansea and their fans have been buoyed. There performance had barely merited a goal, let alone two.

A Reading corner and a chance to test De Vries...

A flying header from Noel Hunt, he did excellently to connect with the cross and can only guide his effort just wide of the post.

A stat courtesy of Infostrada, Scott Sinclair has become the first player in 13 years to score a brace in the Championship play-off final. The last two were Clive Mendonca and Niall Quinn.

After half an hour, Brian McDermott must be farely pleased with how his team have played. Two slip-ups and they find themselves two down.

Sinclair tormenting Reading down the left, he slips the ball inside for Borini who spins and shoots from eight-yards out. His shot is blocked and then the Italian fouls Khizanishvili.

Jimmy Kebe with an attempt at a looped cross, which he scoops high and over the crossbar.

If Reading are to get back into this, then we will surely have a cracking game on our hands. A repeat of Charlton 4-4 Sunderland, anyone?

The game is following the same pattern as prior to the goals, Reading having all the possession as Long wins a corner...

Garry Monk gets to the delivery first, but concedes another corner...

De Vries makes a hash of his attempt to claim the cross, his defenders come to his aid and Swansea clear.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Jobi McAnuff</b> is the third Reading player in the book for a late challenge near the centre circle.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Stephen Dobbie surely seals it for Swansea!!!</b> More poor defending from Khizanishvili, as he allows the ball to be pulled back to Dobbie. His side-foot finish from 12 yards is excellent and placed perfectly beyond Federici. Game over?

A horrible first half for Reading after enjoying superiority for much of the match so far.

Dobbie's goal was very similar to Wayne Rooney's at the same end in the Champions League final on Saturday. Both very classy finishes.

The Reading fans must be stunned, and half-tempted to go home...

What a chance for Shane Long to give Reading a glimmer of hope! Karacan's cross loops over the defence and falls to Long's feet, but he scuffs his shot wide.

<b>THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

Nathan Dyer has had a big impact in the first half. He was tugged down by Khizanishvili for the penalty, and his burst forward provided Dobbie with his goal.

A Reading corner to end the half...

De Vries claims it comfortably and that is that.

<b>HALF TIME</b> What a first half for Swansea. Gifted three goals and sailing towards the Premier League. Brian McDermott has had the first half from hell. His team now need an historic comeback.

Could you blame Reading fans if they just headed home? Bank holiday traffic can be a nightmare, especially after your team have limply surrendered at Wembley.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Jay Tabb</b> has been sent off for foul and abusive language in the tunnel. Can this afternoon get any worse for Reading?

Yes it can, their assisant manager has almost been banished from the dugout. Looks like Reading have completely crumbled.

Reading do have attacking options on the bench. Simon Church and Hal Robson-Kanu are both attacking players, while Brian Howard could provide some added spark in midfield.

<b>Swansea with the restart</b>

No changes at half time, Brian McDermott clearly believes the player he has out there can do the job.

Kebe, Reading's most dangerous player so far, earns a corner as Williams turns his cross behind...

Alan Tate nods the ball behind for another corner...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Noel Hunt gives Reading a lifeline!</b> McAnuff's corner is whipped in at the nearpost and Hunt cleverly sneaks in a header! Two more required.

Reading have obviously been buoyed by the goal, will Swansea start to wobble?

Another Kebe run, another Reading corner. He is earning set piece after set piece...

This time the consequences aren't as successful and the header drifts wide.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Joe Allen</b> is cautioned for a fierce tackle on Noel Hunt. A scramble ensues, with referee doing well to calm things down.

Stephen Dobbie should have doubled his tally! He latched on to a through ball and cut inside Khizanishvili. As he shaped to shoot inside the box, Dobbie slipped inside Mills and looked set to score from eight yards. His effort is truly awful, and dribbles out for a throw-in.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Darren Pratley on for Stephen Dobbie</b>

Yet another Reading corner...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Matthew Mills with a bullet header!</b> McAnuff's corner, Mills rises imperiously to power the ball beyond De Vries!

Fabio Borini finds himself in an almost identical position to Dobbie, his shot is better but is closed down immediately. The action is frenzied at Wembley!

Reading clatter the post! Jem Karacan has fizzed a low drive from 20 yards onto the upright with De Vries well beaten. From the rebound, Karacan has an open goal, but Garry Monk flies in front of the ball to deny Reading an equaliser!

Yet another Reading corner, Swansea cannot cope at the moment...

The corner is clear and finds Kebe, he feeds McAnuff, who sees his cross deflected behind...

From McAnuff's latest corner, De Vries gathers and Swansea can breath a sigh of relief.

A complete whirlwind at the start of the second half. End-to-end with both teams defending terribly.

Sinclair, remember his brace in the first half?!, is hauled down in a good position for Swansea...

Borini takes his time over the dead ball, before teeing up Joe Allen. The young Welshman's shot is blocked by the first man.

Strong play from Mikele Leigertwood, who shrugs off Alan Tate and continues down the right. His cross is poor and straight out of play.

The match hasn't settled at all since the interval. Both teams still attacking, mainly because they both look incapable of defending.

Darren Pratley has a chance to feed Scott Sinclair, instead he embarks on a run and Swansea are forced to settle for their first corner...

Noel Hunt wins the aerial duel with Ashley Williams and clears.

Two set pieces have undone Swansea so far. Brendan Rodgers' men have looked very shaky from dead balls and Reading will still fancy their chances.

Mark Gower is about to be introduced...

Jimmy Kebe is off again, this time running and Monk and Tate before winning a throw in.

Jobi McAnuff shifts inside the box and fires off a shot which is deflected for, you guessed it, a Reading corner...

McAnuff goes deep and De Vries can collect the floating ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Simon Church on for Noel Hunt</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Mark Gower on for Leon Britton</b>

Into the last 15 minutes, what have Reading got left? Can Swansea hang on?

Ian Harte with a whipped cross from a deep position, Leigertwood meets the delivery and heads over the crossbar.

<b>PENALTY TO SWANSEA!!!</b> Andy Griffin with a rash lunge on Borini as the striker runs away from goal. What was he thinking?!

Sinclair for a hat-trick...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Sinclair nets his third and surely the winning goal for Swansea!</b>

Reading's defence have been abysmal this afternoon. First, Khizanishvili's "masterclass" in the first half, then the rashest of tackles from Andy Griffin.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Mark Gower</b> in the book and Ian Harte has a chance to whip in a free kick...

The initlal delivery is cleared, but McAnuff's second cross earns Swansea a corner...

Swansea clear the corner at the near post and Reading are running out of time.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Hal Robson-Kanu on for Andy Griffin</b>

Five minutes left, have Reading got anything left in the tank?

A goal now from Reading would give them a very slim chance, but they don't look like getting it.

McAnuff tugs down Rangel and Swansea are inching towards the Premier League.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Luke Moore on for Joe Allen</b>

Simon Church rises to flick a header goalward, but it's never troubling De Vries and bounces wide.

<b>FOUR MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

Nathan Dyer races clear for Swansea after De Vries punches clear for Swansea. Borini makes a run, but Dyer is content to run down the clock. Swansea are surely there now.

Two minutes left, Reading seem reluctant to play the ball long. Why?!

Another corner, they have had literally millions of them.

Leigertwood with a free header, but he fires it wide. That is game over.

<b>FULL TIME, SWANSEA ARE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE!</b> A pulsating clash at Wembley and Swansea have resisted a Reading comeback to earn a place in the top flight.

A hat-trick from Scott Sinclair has proved the difference between the two teams. A see-saw game which Swansea have deservedly won.

The Reading players and fans look distraught, they gave themselves too much to do after conceding three goals in the first half.