12.09.2015 17:59 h

Hoolahan shines in Norwich stroll

Wes Hoolahan stole the spotlight as Norwich secured their second Premier League win of the season with a 3-1 success against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Alex Neil's side took the lead when Hoolahan set up Cameron Jerome's first half opener and Hoolahan added the second with an eye-catching individual effort before debutant Matt Jarvis netted the third at Carrow Road.

This was the first ever top-flight meeting between these sides, who were both promoted from the Championship last season, and, although Steve Cook got one back for Bournemouth, it is Norwich with seven points who are making the smoother transition.

Norwich were without former Bournemouth striker Lewis Grabban, who is out of favour after trying to force a move to his old club earlier this season, but the hosts still swept to a comfortable win.

Canaries midfielder Alexander Tettey needed treatment after suffering a head injury in an early clash with Joshua King and he was fortunate to escape with a booking soon after for an ugly hack on the Bournemouth forward.

That tetchy challenge brought the simmering tensions between the teams to the boil and Bournemouth duo Simon Francis and Adam Smith earned yellow card for crunching fouls, while Hoolahan also went into Martin Atkinson's book.

Amid all the aggression, Jerome had a chance to open the scoring when Hoolahan found him with a clever through-ball, but the former Stoke forward fired into the side-netting.

Jerome made amends for that miss in the 35th minute when he scored from close-range after Hoolahan unhinged the Bournemouth defence with a clever nutmeg of Cook.

The visitors nearly equalised just before half-time when Callum Wilson's strike was touched onto a post by Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy.

But Hoolahan's sublime solo goal increased Norwich's lead in the 52nd minute.

Taking possession 40 yards from goal, the Republic of Ireland midfielder advanced unchecked before drilling a superb strike past Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Neil's team were well on top and on-loan West Ham winger Jarvis sealed the points in the 67th minute with a cool curled finish.

Cook headed in a Francis corner in the 81st minute but it was little consolation for bedraggled Bournemouth.