Mohamed Toure hit a superb hat-trick as Norwich continued their stunning climb up the Sky Bet Championship table with a 3-0 victory at Oxford, their fifth win in six matches.

The in-form Canaries made a dream start with a goal in just 51 seconds as Australia international Toure ran onto goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw's long clearance, outpacing defender Sam Long before firing unerringly past Jamie Cumming, who also missed his attempted clearance.

Guinea-born striker Toure finished emphatically for his second goal too, in the 19th minute, when he converted Ben Chrisene's low cross from the left high into the net from close range.

And 21-year-old Toure made it 3-0 less than two minutes into the second half with a low angled right-footed shot after Aidomo Emakhu gave the ball away in the middle of the pitch.

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This was a resounding victory for Philippe Clement's men, and a personal triumph for exciting January signing Toure, who now has four goals in his first two games in English football.

U's head coach Matt Bloomfield brought in Mark Harris as his main striker because of Will Lankshear's suspension after a red card in Saturday's goalless draw at Coventry, while Emakhu was making his home debut.

Norwich were without top scorer Jovon Makama through injury but had a team finding the net regularly and brimming with confidence.

If the first-minute goal proved the perfect start for the visitors, it was the stuff of nightmares for Oxford, who had not found the net in their two previous home games under Bloomfield.

But they responded with a decent spell of possession and a powerful free-kick from near the touchline by Cameron Brannagan that a City defender just managed to divert for a corner at the near post.

Yet Norwich looked dangerous every time they went forwards.

Cumming kept out a fiercely-hit cross-shot from Oscar Schwartau after United's central defence was again torn apart by one pass.

Toure's second goal deflated the home fans, who started groaning at each misplaced pass.

As Norwich passed the ball around crisply, the U's were left chasing things - and Schwartau tried his luck again from outside the box, though the effort flew high and wide.

Toure's third goal so early in the second half killed the contest, and in cruise control the Canaries were able to take off their young hat-trick hero - to a standing ovation from the away supporters - with half an hour to go.

Substitute Stan Mills had a shot saved as Oxford looked to salvage some pride with a consolation, but Norwich comfortably saw out the rest of the game.

The managers

Oxford's Matt Bloomfield:

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Norwich's Philippe Clement:

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