Cardiff City has secured promotion back to the Championship with a thrilling 3-1 win over Reading, marking an immediate return to the second tier following their relegation last season. The decisive victory was sealed when Cardiff's rivals failed to win, thanks in part to an extraordinary 96th-minute equalizer from Exeter's goalkeeper Jack Bycroft against Stockport.
Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy expressed his joy, stating, 'It means the world. I've been blessed to work with players who have incredible ambition.' The match saw Cardiff take the lead with a 1-0 half-time advantage, courtesy of a back-post header from skipper Rubin Colwill in the 40th minute. Omari Kellyman doubled their lead 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 victory was confirmed as Exeter's dramatic equalizer ensured Cardiff's promotion at the first attempt. Reading started strongly, with Jeriel Dorsett scooping over from close range and Kyerewaa driving narrowly wide. However, Colwill broke the deadlock with a well-directed header, and Kellyman added a second by breaking the offside trap and calmly slotting home. The hosts reduced the deficit when Kyerewaa netted on the follow-up after Cardiff keeper Nathan Trott parried Lewis Wing's powerful free-kick.
Ng's superb angled effort from 20 yards ultimately settled the issue, sending Cardiff's 2,935 fans into wild celebration.