Drinks are on Carroll!

SWANSEA Paterson 3,

Manning 49

Dele-Bashiru 4, Carroll 30, Drinkwater 50

ANDY CARROLL goals are almost as rare as Newcastle victories these days – but the former England striker showed here that the flame still burns.

Carroll and Danny Drinkwater both scored their first goals for Reading – and for the pair of them getting on the scoresheet for anyone, anywhere was a long time overdue.

Folk-hero striker Carroll, 32, last scored back in January, for Newcastle, but put his team 2-1 ahead here (above) with only his THIRD goal in four seasons.

Drinkwater’s drought had been even longer, but his calm finish proved the winner as the 31-year-old savoured his first goal for almost THREE years.

Swansea will reflect long and hard that they twice scored – through Jamie Paterson and Ryan Manning – but conceded within seconds each time.

The Swans went a goal up, conceded an equaliser to Tom DeleBashiru, fell behind to Carroll’s goal, grabbed a second lifeline through Manning, but let that slip when Drinkwater punished them just 70 seconds later.

Carroll’s goal was a reminder of his power during some vintage years for both Newcastle and Liverpool.

He latched onto Drinkwater’s deft pass and held off two defenders with strength and determination to fire the ball home.

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic said: “We gave a statement that we are never going to give up. We are all in this together and we are going to fight.”

Swans boss Russell Martin admitted: “The lack of intensity out of possession has really hurt us. To concede so quickly after scoring is criminal.”

SWANSEA CITY: Hamer 5; Bennett 5 (Cullen 82), Naughton 6, Williams 5; Laird 6, Grimes 6, Smith 6 (Downes 63, 6), Manning 7; Ntcham 7, Paterson 6; Piroe 6.

Subs not used: Benda, Latibeaudiere, Cooper, Bidwell, Walsh. READING: Southwood 7; Yiadom 7, Holmes 6, Dann 6, Rahman 7; Laurent 7, Drinkwater 8, Halilovic 6 (Azeez 66, 6), Swift 7; Dele-Bashiru 7, Carroll 7 (Puscas 81).

Subs not used: Rafael, Tetek, Abrefa, Ashcroft, Camara.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Danny Drinkwater. Old head on old legs, but fresh enough to boss the midfield battle when needed. REFEREE: Tony Harrington 6.