London: Swansea City became the first Welsh club to reach England's top flight since 1983 when they beat Reading 4-2 in an enthralling promotion playoff final at Wembley.
Scott Sinclair's hat-trick, including two penalties, and a Stephen Dobbie goal earned Swansea victory in a game worth an estimated 90 million pounds (USD 148.3 million) in increased revenue.
Swansea, who finished third in the Championship behind promoted Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City, led 3-0 at halftime but Reading roared back with a Joe Allen own goal and a Matt Mills header.
However, Sinclair struck his second penalty with 10 minutes remaining to ease the nerves of 40,000 Swansea fans inside the stadium and return the club to the top echelon for the first time since they were relegated in 1983.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 08:31