Brighton & Hove Albion entered the final day knowing that to secure a place in the play-offs, they would have to better Reading’s result at home to already promoted Burnley.
What the Seagulls had to do first was get a result at Nottingham Forest and an engrossing and dramatic afternoon ensued. Albion were given the worst news as Reading took an early lead but Sean Dyche’s Clarets soon turned the match around and put themselves 2-1 up, meaning Albion were in the top six.
But an uncharacteristic error from Tomasz Kuszczak allowed Matt Derbyshire’s tame header evade him and once again Albion were out of the top six.
Half-time arrived and the Seagulls sat outside the play-off spots but when Stephen Ward swept home an equaliser just after the break, Oscar Garcia’s leapfrogged the Royals.
Albion’s joy was short-lived though as a stunner from Garath McCleary for Reading pulled the Royals back above Brighton.
As both games reached a climax it seemed the Seagulls were destined to miss out but in incredible scenes Craig Mackail-Smith’s inch perfect cross was powered home by the head of Leo Ulloa to spark wild celebrations and place Albion into the play-offs for a second season running.
Original article
What the Seagulls had to do first was get a result at Nottingham Forest and an engrossing and dramatic afternoon ensued. Albion were given the worst news as Reading took an early lead but Sean Dyche’s Clarets soon turned the match around and put themselves 2-1 up, meaning Albion were in the top six.
But an uncharacteristic error from Tomasz Kuszczak allowed Matt Derbyshire’s tame header evade him and once again Albion were out of the top six.
Half-time arrived and the Seagulls sat outside the play-off spots but when Stephen Ward swept home an equaliser just after the break, Oscar Garcia’s leapfrogged the Royals.
Albion’s joy was short-lived though as a stunner from Garath McCleary for Reading pulled the Royals back above Brighton.
As both games reached a climax it seemed the Seagulls were destined to miss out but in incredible scenes Craig Mackail-Smith’s inch perfect cross was powered home by the head of Leo Ulloa to spark wild celebrations and place Albion into the play-offs for a second season running.
Original article