Norwich City delivered a commanding performance at Kassam Stadium, defeating Oxford United 3-0 in the Championship’s 32nd round. Mohamed Touré emerged as the star of the evening, scoring a clinical hat-trick with goals in the 1st, 19th, and 47th minutes. Oxford struggled to gain a foothold, unable to respond to Norwich's early dominance.

Touré's Early Impact Sets the Tone

The match began with immediate action, as Touré found the net just one minute into the game, assisted by D. Grimshaw. Oxford's defense was still reeling when Touré struck again in the 19th minute, this time set up by B. Chrisene. The early double left Oxford chasing shadows, as Norwich controlled possession with 60% of the ball in the first half.

Norwich Seals the Deal After the Break

Oxford made early substitutions in the second half, but the changes had little impact. Within a minute of the restart, Touré completed his hat-trick, capitalizing on a loose ball to make it 3-0. Despite Oxford's efforts to regroup, they managed only a single shot on target, illustrating their struggles in front of goal.

Statistics Highlight Norwich's Superiority

Norwich's dominance was reflected in the numbers. They completed 384 accurate passes, compared to Oxford's 225, and created four shots on goal. Oxford's expected goals were a mere 0.44, highlighting their lack of threat, while Norwich's figure stood at 2.31, underscoring their attacking efficiency.

Looking Ahead

This victory solidifies Norwich's position as a formidable force, extending their unbeaten run in the league. With Touré’s standout performance, Norwich fans will be hopeful as they chase promotion. Oxford, on the other hand, will need to reassess their strategy as they try to break their slump in upcoming matches.

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