Cardiff City Earns Championship Promotion with Victory Over Reading

Cardiff City has secured an immediate return to the Championship following their relegation last season, thanks to a 3-1 win over Reading. The outcome was sealed when Exeter's goalkeeper Jack Bycroft scored a 96th-minute equalizer against Stockport, causing all of Cardiff's promotion rivals to fail to win. Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy expressed his delight, stating, 'It means the world. I've been fortunate to work with a group of players with incredible ambition. At times, they've played exceptional football, and I'm truly grateful.' The team's captain, Rubin Colwill, gave Cardiff a 1-0 lead at halftime with a back-post header in the 40th minute. Omari Kellyman then doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the second half. Although Daniel Kyerewaa reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute, defender Perry Ng sealed the win four minutes from the end. The confirmation of their promotion came with Exeter's dramatic equalizer, solidifying their return to the Championship at the first attempt following last season's relegation to League One. Reading started well, with Jeriel Dorsett and Kyerewaa missing early chances. However, Colwill broke the deadlock with a well-directed header, and Kellyman added a second by breaking the offside trap and calmly slotting home his ninth goal of the campaign. The hosts reduced the deficit when Kyerewaa netted after Cardiff keeper Nathan Trott parried Lewis Wing's powerful free-kick. Ng's superb angled effort from 20 yards ultimately settled the issue, prompting Cardiff's 2,935 fans to celebrate wildly.