Football: Birmingham City get promoted to the Premier League

Anxious Blues fans before the game at Reading. Birmingham knew victory would guarantee them a spot in the Premier League next season, but Reading also harboured hopes of automatic promotion, as did Sheffield United, at the start of the day Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Birmingham chairman David Gold chats in the stands with club owner David Sullivan, both acutely aware of the riches on offer should Birmingham reach the Premier League Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Keith Fahey scores the opening goal for Birmingham with a tame shot from the edge of the box Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Fahey is congratulated by James McFadden Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Blues fans jump to their feet in delight Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Keeper Maik Taylor struggles to get the ball ahead of Reading's Shane Long. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Leading by just one goal at the break, Birmingham players huddle before the start of the second half in an attempt to compose themselves Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Jimmy Keber and Djimi Traore vie for possession under the gaze of their respective managers Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Michael Duberry and Kevin Phillips toil for a bouncing ball Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Raidi Jaidi celebrates the second goal. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Ecstasy for Alex McLeish on the final whistle as Birmingham win 2-1 and thereby gain promotion Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Birmingham fans mob Kevin Phillips, who scored the second goal. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

McLeish grabs a banner and gleefully parades around the pitch, seemingly with no hands Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Birmingham players revel in the moment Photograph: Tom Jenkins