At the tender age of 39, Wes Hoolahan continues to prove he can still cut it at the top level of the English game, as his Cambridge United side saw off a near full strength Newcastle in the F.A. Cup third round with a 1-0 win.
Kieran Trippier, Newcastle’s first major signing since their Saudi takeover, made his debut, but his presence made little difference to the outcome for an out of sorts Newcastle side.
Cambridge United sent on Teen Wolf, Wes Hoolahan to close out the win versus Newcastle United in the FA Cup. Just 39 years of age and making EPL players in their 20s look like part timers 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/sGdPyHUhI0
— Irish Football Pics (@irish_pics) January 8, 2022
Cambridge’s goal came 11 minutes into the second half when their striker Joe Ironside finished from close range. After a lengthy check with VAR, the goal was eventually given.
Cambridge keeper Dimitar Mitov made some wonderful saves throughout the game including a stunning stoppage time save to deny Joelinton.
Wes Hoolahan entered the game on 61 minutes, and played with his usual silky and calm style as he helped his side see off their Premier League foes.
They've done it!
Third tier Cambridge knock Premier League Newcastle out of the FA Cup 😱 pic.twitter.com/pY5dox71cJ— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 8, 2022
While we here in Ireland might follow Wes's exploits in League One closely, a whole host of fans in England watching the match were reminded of the genius of Hoolahan in his second half cameo.
Twitter Praise For Wes Hoolahan
Fans were not only delighted to witness a classic FA Cup upset against a top division side, but given Newcastle’s recent history it was all the more sweeter for some.
In a well-documented takeover, a majority stake in the club was bought by a consortium that included Saudi backers. With it came large amounts of criticism and accusations of sportwashing given the human rights abuses associated with the Saudi Arabia elite.
The richest club in the world, strictly speaking, losing at home to Wes Hoolahan and League One Cambridge United. The magic of the FA Cup. #NEWCAM
— Paul Hughes (@paolohughes) January 8, 2022
Wes Hoolahan is still just too good for you.
— Alex Bullard (@AlexB_Bacon) January 8, 2022
@NUFC may be the richest globe in the world but they haven't got any players remotely as good as Wes Hoolahan or a manager in the same class as Mark Bonner. Fire up "Coconuts"🥥🥥🥥 https://t.co/cL24fbePQn
— Bernard Walsh (@nomoresurfin) January 8, 2022
Newcastle 0, Cambridge 1
Wes Hoolahan is 40 in May.
When he does eventually retire, he'll spend the next 15 years of his life absolutely wrecking young lads at five-a-side.
Diff'went Gwavy.#NEWCAM— Eric Haughan (@Eric_Haughan) January 8, 2022
The magic of the FA Cup!
Congratulations to all @CambridgeUtdFC and especially the incomparable Wes Hoolahan!
👏👏👏👏👏— Gareth Thomas 💙 (@ProfGarethT) January 8, 2022
39 year old Wes Hoolahan out there hustling and playing with more heart than 22 year old Joe Willock.
— Toon Army Florida (@ToonArmyFlorida) January 8, 2022
39 year old Wes Hoolahan holding off and breezing past Almiron and Shelvey. Beautiful stuff. #FACup
— Caught Offside (@COsoccerpod) January 8, 2022
Wes Hoolahan is still playing? I remember dropping him because of age concerns on FM 10 😂
— Jan Melchior Bonacker (@jmbonacker) January 8, 2022
Wes Hoolahan Pre-Game Optimism
The Irish maestro described what it meant to his team to play in St. James’ Park in today’s Irish Independent, and was quietly optimistic about his sides chances.
“Most of our players have never played in a stadium like this. Playing in front of 52,000 people is a new experience for us and a test for our players, but we need to do our jobs.
“It’s a big change from the League Two grounds we played in last season and League One, where we are now this season. But we have to forget about the pitch and the crowd. We are there to win a football match no matter where we play.
“They want to start 2022 well. They have signed [Kieran] Trippier. They will play a strong team to get through, so we’ll see if we are good enough.”
They were. We can't wait to see who Cambridge draw in the next round.
See Also: The 10 Best January Transfer Window Signings In Premier League History
39 year old Wes Hoolahan out there hustling and playing with more heart than 22 year old Joe Willock.
— Toon Army Florida (@ToonArmyFlorida) January 8, 2022
