Cardiff City confirmed their promotion to the Championship with a decisive 3-1 win over Reading, capping off an impressive season. The victory was sealed after an extraordinary late equalizer by Exeter's Jack Bycroft against Stockport, meaning Cardiff's rivals failed to win and paving the way for the Welsh side's immediate return to the second tier following their relegation the previous season.
Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy expressed his delight, stating, 'It means everything' and praising his players for their incredible ambition and skill on the field. The match saw Cardiff take the lead through Rubin Colwill's back-post header in the 40th minute, with Omari Kellyman doubling the advantage in the second half.
Reading's Daniel Kyerewaa reduced the deficit, but defender Perry Ng sealed the win with a superb effort from 20 yards, sparking wild celebrations among Cardiff's fans. The promotion marks a significant milestone for the team, with Barry-Murphy believing this is just the beginning of their success.