by Matt Slater
Date: 25/04/2021
Venue: The Madejski Stadium
Competition: The Sky Bet Championship
SWANSEA have secured their spot in the playoffs with Reading missing out despite a late Royals equaliser.
In a must game win for Reading, they grabbed the lead in the first half after Yakou Meite shrugged off Jake Bidwell and found the back of the net.
In need of a goal, the Swans brought on Andre Ayew. His impact was imminent and he orchestrated the move that led to Jamal Lowe grabbing the equaliser.
It was the same man who took the lead for the Swans shortly after. Jake Bidwell was allowed to dance through the defence to set Ayew up.
Reading were not lying down – but it was too little, too late. Tomas Esteves grabbed his first senior goal, but both team’s fates were already sealed.
The Swans started the game on the front foot and nearly opened the scoring in the first minute. Connor Hourihane’s short freekick was met by Jamal Lowe. The striker then whipped the ball towards the back post, but Ben Cabango could not steer it towards goal.
Swansea maintained the early pressure and Wayne Routledge came close shortly after, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.
After another planned out freekick, Jamal Lowe had the time to fire a volley towards the goal, but it flew over.
But following early attacking intent from the Swans, Reading started to pile on some pressure of their own. Lucas Joao managed to out-strength Marc Guehi and fire at goal, but it was powered just wide.
Shortly after, Reading opened the lead. The Royals cleverly kept possession with John Swift floating the ball into the back post. The inform Yakou Meite held off Jake Bidwell and powered the ball into the bottom corner.
The first half ended with the hosts coming close to extending their lead. Hourihane’s pass was intercepted by Joao who tried to curl it into the bottom corner, but a diving Freddie Woodman did enough to push the ball away.
The Swans came back out with purpose. Jamal Lowe’s driven cross fizzed onto the head of Liam Cullen, but it went wide.
With Swansea looking for a nerve settler, Andre Ayew entered the field. His instant impact took three players out of the game with a fantastic skill move, and it rolled into the path of Jay Fulton. The midfielder’s powerful shot was too much for Rafael to keep a hold of, and Lowe was able tap the ball into the goal.
The Swans then took the lead after Jake Bidwell’s clever one-two with Lowe allowed him to storm into the box. His fake pass took a defender out of the game and opened space to set Ayew up with the goal he thoroughly deserved.
But with Reading desperately needing a win, the game became increasingly more open. Just moments after Lowe hit the post, Reading went on the attack. Aluko fed the ball into the crowded box and found Esteves waiting, who controlled it into the bottom corner – but it was too little, too late.
Star Man: Andre Ayew
Reading: Rafael; Richards (Aluko 87’), Moore, Holmes, Yiadom (Esteves 81’); Laurent, Rinomhota; Ejaria (Puscas 81’), Swift (Olise 65’), Meite (Meite 65’); Joao.
Swansea City: Woodman; Naughton (Roberts 64’), Cabango, Guehi; Routledge (Whittaker 64’), Hourihane (Smith 87’), Fulton, Grimes, Bidwell; Cullen (Ayew 64’), Lowe.
Incident Log: Goals: Meite 31’, Lowe 67’, Ayew 83’, Esteves 90+2’. Yellow cards: Guehi 17’, Holmes 19’, Fulton 69’.
