Anfield goal caps off memorable day for Norwich captain Russell Martin
Monday 21 September 2015 13:08, UK
A weary Norwich City captain Russell Martin has revealed his double delight at witnessing the birth of his son and scoring at Liverpool, within eight action-packed hours on Sunday.
It has been an impressive start to the Premier League campaign for the promoted Canaries but nothing would have prepared their skipper for the build-up to the visit to Anfield.
Russell's wife Jasmine was heavily pregnant but their third child was not due for another five days and so it seemed the defender was all set for a fairly relaxed visit to Liverpool.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ on Monday morning, Martin said: "It was a long old day and a long old night before. I flew up with the squad on Saturday and my wife rung me up in the evening to say she'd gone into labour.
"I left Liverpool at 11pm, got back to Norwich for 3am and was at the hospital at 4am. Fortunately she gave birth to a healthy happy boy at 9.25am. I left hospital at 10.30, got home quickly for a shower, got my tracksuit on and was on the plane at midday for Liverpool. I got a goal so it was a good day.
"I was desperate to play and you let nature let it take its course. Everything was great. I had spoken to manager Alex Neil about it but we weren't expecting it.
"It was a bit of a rush. My wife understood and was delighted I was there for the birth and then go up the road and get a goal. I got the best of both worlds."
Danny Ings had scored the opener just after the break for Liverpool, only for Martin to pounce on an error by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for the equaliser on the hour mark.
It was a result that left his team 11th after six games, and it was Martin's third goal of the season meaning he is the highest scoring defender in the Premier League.
Martin added: "I've been delighted with the way we started and fortunately we got a point. As a team we've started well and I've got three goals and long may that continue.
"We are all very happy and we've set ourselves a high standard. We are aware it's only a good start. We've felt we could have got a couple more points with our performances we've put in.
"It's a tough league and a long season and we have to maintain our performances and show what a good team we are."
