SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 5 hrs 17 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
RL
Championship | Gameweek 44
Apr 25, 2021 at 12pm UK
Madejski Stadium
SL

Reading
2 - 2
Swansea

Meite (31'), Lago Pontes Esteves (90+2')
Holmes (19')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Lowe (67'), Ayew (83')
Guehi (17'), Fulton (69')

Reading 2-2 Swansea City: Swans secure playoff position

:Headline: Reading 2-2 Swansea City: Swans secure playoff position:
The Royals' slim hopes of a top-six finish were ended.
Sports Mole

Swansea secured a Sky Bet Championship play-off place with a hard-earned 2-2 draw at Reading, whose own top-six aspirations were ended by the result.

Barnsley and Bournemouth join the Swans in the end-of-season shoot-out alongside already-qualified Brentford.

Swansea dominated much of the first half but fell behind against the run of play when Yakou Meite nodded home in the 31st minute.

Opportunist second-half efforts from Jamal Lowe and top scorer Andre Ayew gave Swansea the lead, with Tomas Esteves' late equaliser for Reading proving irrelevant.

Swansea had been in indifferent form going into the game, winning only two of their previous eight matches and losing five.

Reading were on a poor recent run of just one victory in eight games and had slipped to seventh place.

The Swans began the stronger in the sunny yet chilly conditions and could have gone ahead in the opening minute.

Lowe swung over a cross from the left flank to the far post where centre-back Ben Cabango rose powerfully but was unable to keep his header on target.

Wayne Routledge had a well-struck effort deflected away by home captain Liam Moore and Lowe volleyed wildly over from the edge of the area.

Reading gradually improved and served warning of intent when 22-goal top scorer Lucas Joao sent a low 20-yard effort narrowly wide.

Just past the half-hour mark, Reading went in front. John Swift curled in a teasing cross from the left and Meite ghosted in ahead of Jake Bidwell to guide in a firm header for his 11th goal of the season.

Reading could have increased their lead shortly before the break but Swansea goalkeeper Freddie Woodman saved well from Joao after the Portuguese striker had seized on an error by Conor Hourihane.

Swansea started brightly in the second half, with Lowe finding plenty of space on the left wing.

From a Lowe cross, Liam Cullen should have done better with a header that lacked direction and failed to trouble home keeper Rafael.

But the visitors drew level in the 67th minute after excellent work by substitute Ayew, who had been on the pitch only three minutes.

Ayew cleverly nutmegged Moore, which allowed Jay Fulton to run through and force a fine stop from Rafael – only for Lowe to tuck in the rebound.

Swansea went in front with seven minutes remaining. Hourihane did all the hard work as he cut in from the left and played a perfect square pass to allow Ayew to slot in his 16th goal of the campaign.

Lowe also struck a post near the end, shortly before Esteves drilled in a fine stoppage-time equaliser from distance, but Swansea held on for their play-off place.

body check tags ::

amp_article__444776 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-04-25 13:31:38:
html db last update - 2021-04-25 13:10:08 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Sunday's Championship predictions including Reading vs. Swansea City
Lionel Messi reveals decision over retirement
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Portsmouth392411463323183
2Derby CountyDerby402461069353478
3Bolton WanderersBolton39228971432874
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough38218974462871
5Barnsley382011770482271
6Oxford UnitedOxford Utd391891262521063
7Stevenage3917111151401162
8Lincoln CityLincoln3916131056332361
9Blackpool391791357421560
10Leyton Orient391610134444058
11Northampton TownNorthampton40158175160-953
12Wigan AthleticWigan39177155348550
13Wycombe WanderersWycombe381311145049150
14Bristol Rovers38148164857-950
15Exeter CityExeter39138183352-1947
16Charlton AthleticCharlton391015145758-145
17Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury39135212955-2644
18Reading39139175557-242
19Burton Albion39109203151-2039
20Cambridge UnitedCambridge38109193255-2339
21Port Vale3899203661-2536
22Cheltenham TownCheltenham3798203050-2035
23Fleetwood TownFleetwood39713194161-2034
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle3959253569-3424
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

How Man United could line up against Brentford

1

HM

Preview: Brentford vs. Man Utd - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PB

Preview: Sheff Utd vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PS

How Tottenham could line up against Luton Town

4

HT

Real Madrid injury, suspension list vs. Athletic

5

RM

Arsenal 'draw up 10-man striker shortlist'

6

A'

Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Man City - Saka, Gabriel

7

AI

Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Brighton

8

LI

Key Man City defender 'serious doubt for Arsenal clash'

9

KM

Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Burnley

10

CI


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .