LAST-GASP SWANS FIND ROUT TO PREM
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SWANSEA gatecrashed the play-offs in the most dramatic fashion with a stoppage-time goal from super-sub Wayne Routledge.
Steve Cooper’s men kept their Premier League promotion hopes alive by pipping Nottingham Forest on a better goal difference of just one – after starting the day needing a five-goal swing.
Reading striker Yakou Meite played his part with a moment of madness in the first half – seeing red after pushing Mike Van der Hoorn in the face.
George Puscas levelled for the 10 men with a penalty after on-loan Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster 1 4
put the Swans ahead. But after coming off the bench Routledge lobbed a second, before Liam Cullen added his first for the club after 84 minutes.
And Routledge then sensationally headed his team into the top six in added time with his second of the game.
The Swans were ahead after just 17 minutes and it was another spectacular goal from Brewster from 25 yards, his 10th of an excellent spell in just 19 starts. But the match caught fire after 40 minutes. First Meite clashed with Van der Hoorn – triggering a straight red from Steve Martin.
And then within three minutes the 10 men were level, Puscas converting the penalty for his 14th goal of the season after Jake Bidwell brought down Andy Rinomhota.
With Swansea chasing goals Routledge lobbed them in front after 66 minutes.
Another substitute, Cullen, grabbed a third after 84 minutes, his first for the club, then that man Routledge headed the vital fourth in stoppage time.