Republic of Ireland midfielder Wes Hoolahan scored a brace on Saturday as Norwich ran riot against promotion-chasing Reading.
Jaap Stam’s men were 6-1 down at the break and conceded another goal in the second half to lose the game 7-1. The result was quite embarrassing for a talented Reading side and it also puts a slight dent in their hopes of Premier League promotion.
Hoolahan was hugely influential for the Canaries in a game that they dominated from start to finish. The Irishman finished the game with two goals to his name and was also the provider for another of his side’s seven goals.
Norwich are now in tenth place in the Championship and are more or less out of the fight for the top six. However, this didn’t stop them putting on a show for the home crowd at Carrow Road, as the fans were treated to an utterly dominant display by their side.
They were also there to witness a rather important milestone in the career of Wes Hoolahan, with his brace being his 49th and 50th goals for the club. A real fan favourite at Norwich, he has accomplished this feat in 309 games.
Two goals and an assist for Wes Hoolahan in the first half for Norwich today, including his 50th goal for the club. pic.twitter.com/nLKJctGifL
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 8, 2017
The Dubliner has really made a name for himself at a Carrow Road, where he is in his ninth season. He has been with the club in the Championship, League One and also the Premier League. His loyalty to the club has been rewarded with 112 appearances in the top flight, a stat that somewhat overshadows the time he spent with the club in England’s third tier.
The former Shelbourne man’s large array of talents have earned him plaudits that he really does deserve. It’s a repeated topic of conversation when it comes to Hoolahan’s career, but it is a real pity that he didn’t have more of a chance at international level. Impressive performances in the green jersey have left people to wonder what might have been had he been more heavily included earlier in his career.
Conor Daly, Pundit Arena
Read More About: carrow road, English Football, football league, irish football, Norwich, norwich city, premier league football, premier league news, reading, Republic of Ireland, wes hoolahan
