Lambert delighted by City form

28 December 2010 19:30
Paul Lambert hailed Norwich's incredible start to the season as Wes Hoolahan stepped off the bench to score a second-half hat-trick in a 4-2 victory over Sheffield United. Andy Reid fired United ahead in the 17th minute with a fantastic 25-yard free-kick but defender Michael Nelson headed Norwich level within three minutes. Richard Cresswell put United back in front after 29 minutes although Norwich replied for a second time in the 64th minute when Hoolahan converted from the penalty spot. Hoolahan then grabbed the winner with six minutes left with his second spot-kick conversion after Kyle Bartley was penalised by referee Phil Crossley for handball. The Blades then finished the game with 10 men when Stephen Quinn was sent off for violent conduct after a bad foul on Hoolahan, who duly claimed the match ball in injury-time. It was the Canaries' fourth win in five games and Lambert said: "It was a stop-start sort of performance and in the end it was a good grind out win for us. But you have got to remember that we have set really high standards this season and it is difficult to maintain them in every game. "Sheffield United are a good hard working side that made it tough for us, as we knew they would and although we had plenty of the ball we couldn't really get into the game. It's also worth pointing out that we were without two centre-halves in Elliott Ward and Leon Barnett and that put a big dent in our team. I thought the lads who came in did a good job and obviously I'm really delighted that we came away with the three points."

Source: PA