On This Day | Wembley wonders

Swansea City sealed promotion to the top flight for only the second time in their history with victory over Reading in the Championship play-off final on May 30, 2011.

Scott Sinclair scored a hat-trick at Wembley as the Swans ended their 28-year wait for a return to the top tier of English football.

Brendan Rodgers’ side had enjoyed a fine season in the Championship; securing a third-place finish before seeing off Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-finals.

After overcoming Cardiff City in the other tie, Rodgers’ former employers Reading stood in the way of promotion to the Premier League.

The Swans took the lead in the 21st minute thanks to Sinclair’s penalty after Nathan Dyer had been tripped in the box.

It was 2-0 just a minute later, with Sinclair netting at the far post after Adam Federici parried Stephen Dobbie’s cross.

Dobbie got in on the act with a fine finish five minutes before the break, but the contest was far from over.

Joe Allen headed into his own net early in the second half to give Reading hope, then Matt Mills’ powerful header made it 3-2 on 57 minutes.

The Swans were wobbling, and it needed a brilliant Garry Monk block to deny Noel Hunt an equaliser.

But with 10 minutes remaining, Andy Griffin fouled Fabio Borini in the box and Sinclair completed his hat-trick from the spot to secure the Swans’ place in the top flight.