Etheridge's Cardiff promoted to Premier League after goalless draw against Reading

Neil Etheridge is back in Premier League after guiding Cardiff City to promotion. Glen Charles Lopez/Philippine Football Federation

By Kevin Estrada

MANILA--City are promoted to the Premier League following a goalless draw at home against Reading in the final day of the EFL Championship Sunday afternoon in South Wales (evening Manila time).

The Azkals' first-choice shot-stopper played the entire 90 minutes in Cardiff City Stadium to earn his 19th clean sheet on his 45th league appearance for the Bluebirds, who were automatically promoted after a four-year tenure at the second-tier with 90 points after 46 matches.

That was two ahead his boyhood club Fulham after Birmingham dragged the Cottagers down to the play-offs with a 3-1 home win which was played at the same day.

Reading also stayed up with the goalless draw with the former FA Cup winner, which saw Barnsley and Burton Albion join Sunderland to League One.

Manager Neil Warnock achieved promotion for the record eight time, eclipsing luminaries such as Dave Bassett and Graham Taylor who had seven.

The 28 year-old never played for the Cottagers in league play but went between the posts in his lone Fulham appearance in the Europa League in 2011, when a 2-2 draw against Danish side Odense at Craven Cottage saw them exit the group stage.

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