The Swans led 3-0 but two goals in the early stages of the second half brought Reading back into it - only for Scott Sinclair to complete his hat-trick and wrap up a 4-2 success with a second penalty.

Rodgers, who managed Reading himself in 2009, told Sky Sports after the Wembley contest: "It was a fantastic game.

"I don't think we played as well as we did for most of the season but on the moments when we did show our quality we were very, very good.

"Conceding two goals helped us refocus and get a bit of control - it's fantastic."

Rodgers continued: "It's fantastic. The supporters today were incredible and it's nice to repay their faith and get promotion.

"It was a proper, proper game and these players deserve to be in the Premier League. Ourselves (runners-up) Norwich and (champions) QPR will be a credit to the Championship and will try to do well.

"We show courage and try to pass the ball - but the important thing today was to try to win the game.

"I said to the players it wasn't about winning, it was about defending our principles and how we played.

"We got a bit nervy but regained our composure and started to pass the ball."

Next month the 38-year-old will climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity, after the death of his mother Christina, and he added: "That will be a different challenge."

Hat-trick hero Sinclair, on-loan from Chelsea, continued: "I'm buzzing. Credit to the boys - it's fantastic.

"Brendan deserves massive credit - he's been exceptional and puts all the hard work in every day in training."

Stephen Dobbie, scorer of Swansea's other goal, said: "We knew Reading would come out and make it a fantastic second half.

"To be a part of this team, to make history and for a team from Wales to be in the Premier League is an honour."

The Swansea players wore T-shirts with Besian Idrizaj on as they celebrated victory - and Nathan Dyer and Garry Monk were keen to remember their former team-mate, who died a year ago of a heart attack at the age of 22.

Dyer told Sky Sports 1: "He's always in our memories," while Monk added: "It's for Besian."

Captain Monk continued: "What a day. We've worked so hard all season. I wish Reading could go up with us, they've been fantastic all season too.

"We (Swansea) never do anything easy but we saw it out. It's unbelievable.

"A lot of people have been doubting us for a long time so it's nice to put them right. We play football the right way."

Reflecting on the threat of relegation which hovered over the club less than a decade ago, long-serving midfielder Leon Britton said: "It's an unbelievable story to be in the Premier League eight years down the line from being on the verge of going out of the Football League.

"Paulo Sousa started it off - give him credit - and Brendan has been fantastic. Getting Swansea to the Premier League is an outstanding achievement."

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins struggled to take in the achievement of promotion at Wembley.

He told Sky Sports 1: "Travelling back I think we will have to pinch ourselves to get back to reality.

"It's been a remarkable 10 years for this club and to have an opportunity to continue growing and building next year - and playing the very best teams in the country - is fantastic.

"We had our luck today and sometimes in sport you need that but I think it's a great achievement - not too many teams play this way in Britain.

"We've stuck with it through different managers and we want to continue that path next year. Hopefully that philosophy will continue for a long time.

"Go back two years and we thought we had a massive task when we got into the Championship - so we've got no worries going in and testing ourselves against the best. Well give it everything we've got."

Jenkins acknowledged the contribution of Rodgers, adding: "His personality has lifted the club - we couldn't have asked for a more fantastic manager. We're lucky we've got him."

Joe Allen told Sky Sports 1: "We showed brave resolve. Reading pushed us to the limit today but we just had enough on the day to pip them.

"The focus of the half-time team talk was to carry on playing the way we always do. It's easy to get carried away at 3-0 but we had to keep going until the final whistle.

"It's been a massive journey for me and the club. Only a few years ago we were almost out of the Football League and here we are celebrating promotion to the Premier League."

Fellow midfielder Darren Pratley, a second-half substitute, said: "When I left Fulham I said I wanted to get back to the Premier League. I said then I thought Swansea were the right club...and we've achieved it.

"There have been a few managers who have done well: Roberto (Martinez), Kenny (Jackett) and Paulo (Sousa) deserve credit but Brendan has taken us to another level. To get to the Premier League is a credit to everyone."

Reading boss Brian McDermott insisted he was proud of his team, who finished the season strongly as well as reaching the last eight in the FA Cup.

He said: "In February we were 12th or 13th but we've got into the play-offs and beaten Cardiff to come to Wembley.

"In the first half nothing dropped for us but Swansea played very well. 3-0 down is a mountain to climb but we were inches from getting a third goal.

"Jem Karacan hit the post and if it had gone in I think we'd have gone on to win the game...I honestly believe it would have been a different scoreline.

"I'm just really disappointed for our fans. I wish we could have got the right result for them.

"We were the better side in the second half and Swansea were better in the first half - that's obvious.

"It's just so disappointing to lose goals the way we did - but it was a fantastic comeback from our guys. We made a real game of it.

"I'm immensely proud. It hurts but we'll be stronger for this and we'll move on.

"It's very painful but what we can do now is look ahead and build for next season again.

"But credit Swansea - they are a good side and got a fourth goal to kill the game. I'm sure they'll do very well in the Premier League."