READING FC Under 23s are through to the Premier League Cup final after beating Norwich City 4-1 at Madejski Stadium.

Martin Kuhl's development side will now face Swansea City in the final after the Welsh club overcame Portsmouth 3-0 after extra time in last night's other semi final.

Kuhl named an youthful team yesterday with goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola, full-back Tennai Watson and striker Yakou Meite among a handful of players with first-team experience.

The home side started on the front foot with Josh Barrett firing narrowly wide.

Norwich's Diallang Jaiyesimi tested Jaakkola at the other end as Reading's defence came under pressure from a succession of dangerous crosses.

But Kuhl's men continued to look dangerous and, after Meite stung Aston Oxborough's hands, they took the lead just before the half-hour mark.

Andy Rinomhota was fouled on the left and Oxborough could only parry Barrett's thunderous free-kick back to the former AFC Portchester player.

Rinomhota didn't panic and slid the ball back across the Norwich area for Rob Dickie to slot home.

Even then Reading faced a nervous wait as the linesman had originally flagged for offside only for the referee to over-rule and award the goal.

But there was no debating Reading's second goal which came moments later as Sam Smith's glancing header flew into the net from a pin-point Omar Richards free-kick.

Before Norwich could recover form the double blow they soon found themselves 3-0 down heading into the interval after Tyler Frost struck again for the hosts.

The visitors' defence was all at sea when a cross arrived in the area and all Michael Efete could do was clear the ball to Frost, who converted from six yards.

However, the Canaries reduced the deficit just two minutes after the restart.

Royals failed to deal with a free-kick from the right and Ray Grant was well positioned to take advantage by stabbing home from close range.

Reading, though, dug in as the match became a midfield battle leading to a flurry of yellow cards, with Norwich trio Louis Ramsay, Conor McGrandles and Todd Cantwell all going in the book.

Kuhl's men also finished the stronger team with Ben House an inch away from scoring on his U23s debut from Frost's clever assist.

And they did grab a fourth two minutes before the end when Smith notched his second of the day with a stooping header from a Ryan East flag-kick.

Reading U23: Jaakkola, Watson, Richards, Dickie, Osho, East, Rinomhota, Frost, Barrett (Holmes 82), Meite (House 82), Smith. Subs not used: Southwood, Medford-Smith, Holsgrove.

Norwich City U23: Oxborough, Ramsay (Hlynsson 87), Lewis, Grant (Arrons 62), Efete, Crowe, Jaiyesimi, Adams, Ashley-Seal, Cantwell, McGrandles (Higgs 73). Subs not used: Hallett, Wallis.