Scott Sinclair struck a hat-trick as Swansea survived a second-half fightback from Reading to clinch promotion to the Barclays Premier League with a 4-2 victory in an enthralling npower Championship play-off final.

Sinclair's 25th and 26th goals of the season in a devastating two-minute spell midway through the first half set Swans on their way - the opener coming from the penalty spot - before Stephen Dobbie added a third.

But in another thrilling clash befitting the Wembley showpiece, Reading displayed plenty of never-say-die spirit and hauled themselves right back into it through a Joe Allen own goal and Matthew Mills, before Sinclair smashed home his second penalty in the 80th minute.

Victory ends a 28-year wait for top-flight football for Swansea and - aside from the estimated £90million windfall - completes an astonishing eight-year turnaround for the south Wales club after they narrowly avoided relegation from the Football League.

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers revealed conceding two goals enabled his team to "refocus" and make sure of promotion.

Rodgers, who managed Reading himself in 2009, told Sky Sports after the Wembley contest: "It was a fantastic game.

"I don't think we played as well as we did for most of the season but on the moments when we did show our quality we were very, very good.

"Conceding two goals helped us refocus and get a bit of control - it's fantastic."

Hat-trick hero Sinclair continued: "I'm buzzing. Credit to the boys - it's fantastic.

"Brendan deserves massive credit - he's been exceptional and puts all the hard work in every day in training."

Reading boss Brian McDermott insisted he was proud of his team, who finished the season strongly as well as reaching the last eight in the FA Cup.

He said: "In February we were 12th or 13th but we've got into the play-offs and beaten Cardiff to come to Wembley.

"In the first half nothing dropped for us but Swansea played very well. 3-0 down is a mountain to climb but we were inches from getting a third goal.

"Jem Karacan hit the post and if it had gone in I think we'd have gone on to win the game...I honestly believe it would have been a different scoreline.

"I'm just really disappointed for our fans. I wish we could have got the right result for them.

"It's just so disappointing to lose goals the way we did - but it was a fantastic comeback from our guys. We made a real game of it.

"I'm immensely proud. It hurts but we'll be stronger for this and we'll move on."

sportinglife.com

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#wengerout

Sarà contento Ray

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prima gallese in premier, se non erro.

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No, però erano 28 anni che non tornavano nella massima serie

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Nascerà qui, al ristorante "L'orologio", ritrovo di artisti e sarà per sempre una squadra di grande talento. Questa notte splendida darà i colori al nostro stemma: il nero e l'azzurro sullo sfondo d'oro delle stelle. Si chiamerà Internazionale, perchè noi siamo fratelli del mondo. (Milano, 9 marzo 1908)

allora è la prima in premier, che esiste da 20 anni

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confermo

Come il Blackpool di Holloway ( ) lo scorso anno, lo Swansea ha vissuto una meravigliosa epopea: dato dai bookmakers fra le duellanti per la salvezza, ha fluttuato nelle zone alte della classifica per l'intero, estenuante campionato, eliminando lo strafavorito Nottingham Forest nella semifinale playoff. Il resto è nel pallone che Scott Sinclair, promessa mai mantenuta del calcio britannico, riporrà nella sua teca.

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Il calcio è uno sport in cui si gioca in 22 e alla fine vince la Germania.

Una piacevole novità nel calcio inglese

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"Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity..?"

che gli frega a Ray dello Swansea?

comunque, mentre ero in Cornovaglia, ho avuto il piacere di assistere a un imperdibile Swansea-Nottingham Forest, in un pub pieno di gallesi cionchi

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keep 'em laughing as you go, but remember that the last laugh is on you

Non segui il topic di FM2011

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