Oxford United run riot as young Missanga stuns Leicester in four-goal rout

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0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Oxford United ran riot with a 4-0 victory at Leicester City in League One, 18-year-old Mo Missanga making headlines in the Yellows' second win of the season.

Mark Harris' opening eighth-minute goal was assisted by the young winger before he scored his first goal in senior football on only his second start.

Aaron Ramsey's men were relentless at the King Power Stadium, quickly bagging a third after Missanga's strike, Harris finding the net for the second time in the game and for the third time this season.

The afternoon was rounded off with Jamie McDonnell's first goal for the club, assisted by new signing and Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch.

The four-goal win was a perfect response after defeat at Huddersfield in midweek and a statement result for Ramsey against the League One title favourites.

A couple of ventures out wide from both sides preceded the eighth-minute opening goal from Harris, the Welsh striker putting the ball away after Jamie McDonnell had played in Missanga on the right flank.

Leicester tried to hit back, Emil Riis seeing a header saved by Simon Eastwood before Bobby De Cordova-Reid blasted an effort into the side netting.

The U's veteran goalkeeper followed up with a fine double save to deny two digs at goal from Jayden Joseph.

Oxford then found some momentum, Missanga enjoying himself on the right, Cameron Brannagan eventually forcing a save with a relatively tame long shot.

An important clearance from Michal Helik and a volley over the bar from Joseph saw United into half time one goal ahead.

Oxford almost instantly doubled their lead after the break, Kai Andrews just seeing the ball nicked away as he lined up a shot in the box.

Mo Missanga bagged a goal and assist against Leicester (Image: Oxford United)

A deflected effort from distance by Luke Thomas failed to trouble the U's before teenage Missanga took the headlines.

The 17-year-old received the ball square from Andrews, chopped onto his right foot and tucked the ball past McCarthy with composure.

It took only three minutes for the Yellows to find a third, Andrews assisting again but this time for Harris who placed the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area.

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With Ramsey's men now more than comfortable, the hosts tried to get forward, a volley from Harry Howell at the back post skewered wide.

Even after three goals, Oxford did not stop.

Lynch's blocked shot did not discourage the Villa loanee as he played a beautiful low ball on a plate for Jamie McDonnell who tapped home at the back post to score his first goal in yellow.

Leicester: McCarthy, Joseph, Burns (Howell 56), De Cordova-Reid (Doyle 46), Souttar, Riis (Bristic), McFarlane (Aluko 59), Page, Thomas, Braybrooke, Alves (Watson 56)

Oxford: Eastwood, Kioso (Currie 81), Helik, Brown, Spencer, McDonnell, Andrews, Brannagan (Sibley 81), Missanga (Lynch 61), Harris (O'Donkor 69), Dembele (Goodrham 69)

Bookings: Riis; Andrews