Jamie McDonald/Getty ImagesWes Hoolahan, right, was transcendent versus Wigan and demonstrated his value to the Norwich midfield.

Wes Hoolahan has long written his own scripts at Norwich City, yet this most recent chapter will take some beating after he inspired the Canaries to a hard-fought 2-1 Premier League win over Wigan.

News of a contract extension for the Irish international, one that should keep him at Carrow Road until 2015, filtered through 30 minutes before kickoff. Hoolahan proceeded to show everyone inside a full house why he has been such an integral part of a success story that shows little sign of running out of steam.

First, he out-tackled Emmerson Boyce -- a man in a different weight class entirely to the diminutive Dubliner -- before returning to his talented feet and threading a ball for Anthony Pilkington to lash into the roof of Ali Al Habsi's net for a 1-0 Canaries lead. After Shaun Maloney unjustly dragged the Latics level early in the second period, Hoolahan rose unmarked to crash home a powerful match-winning header, securing three points and extending City's remarkable Premier League unbeaten run to 10 matches.

The contrast between two clubs seemingly moving in opposite directions could not have been more marked. Wigan have exhibited remarkably resilient qualities to remain in the top flight for so long, but Roberto Martinez will need all his managerial gifts to guide the Latics to safety again on the evidence of this body of work at Carrow Road.

Chris Hughton freshened up his starting lineup with four changes from the chastening Capital One Cup exit to Aston Villa in midweek, and the City boss was rewarded. Norwich dictated the opening period to a degree hitherto unseen this season from the Canaries in the league. Hoolahan missed that miserable Cup defeat with a groin injury, but it is no exaggeration to state the midfielder has a transformative impact whenever he is in the side.

City looked assured in possession, capable of sustaining periods of territory in the opposition half and carving out the sort of chances that on another day, were it not for Al Habsi's reflexes, would have resulted in a far more comfortable victory.

Wigan's stopper formed a one-man barricade at times as Hoolahan dropped deeper into pockets of space between their back three and the defensive shield erected by James McArthur and James McCarthy. Al Habsi's sublime one-handed reaction stop denied Robert Snodgrass from barely six yards out during the home surge of the opening period. His one-handed parry to foil Pilkington after the break was even better. Meanwhile, Maloney's fantastic finish from the edge of the area was bordering on daylight robbery.

At the end of a week when a Wembley dream died, Norwich could have been forgiven for a sluggish response to fresh adversity. But Hughton has a group of young men made of the right stuff. Pilkington's quality tight to the touchline fashioned a cross dispatched by Hoolahan. The Republic of Ireland's watching assistant manager, Marco Tardelli, would have left Carrow Road with a lengthy scouting report in his jacket pocket, and both Hoolahan and Pilkington may well find themselves given a chance to reprise this double act in the green of Ireland.

But right now it is Norwich that are feeling the benefits of Hoolahan's genius. And the Canaries will do so for the foreseeable future.

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