Aussie Toure seals Norwich win with a hat-trick
A second-half hat-trick from Australia's Mohamed Toure saw Norwich City come from behind to beat Roy Hodgson's Bristol 4-2 in a thrilling EFL Championship clash at Ashton Gate.
Sam Morsy's second-minute opener was cancelled out six minutes after the restart by Toure, who would go on to complete his treble 25 minutes later to put Norwich in control.
The Robins fell further behind when Jose Cordoba nodded home, with Sam Bell netting a consolation for the hosts, who were beaten for the first time since Hodgson took charge.
Since joining Norwich in January, Socceroos hopeful Toure has scored seven goals in eight league appearances, to go with three assists.
“I’m very happy to contribute to the win today,” Toure said. “We got out of the blocks pretty slow in the first half. Then we came out in the second half with a different mentality. We just showed what we could do.
“I just wanted to come here and learn and improve and take my game to the next level.
“But I didn’t expect to score this many goals in this time. It’s amazing. It’s an amazing feeling to score this many goals and help the team out.
“I think that’s the most important thing [being back in the starting XI]. It’s great scoring goals and assisting, but I think the most important thing is that my body is starting to feel better.
“With the physios, they’re trying to help me feel better week in, week out. So I think that’s the most important for me. Now the next step is to get my body to 100 per cent."
Norwich boss Ryan Garry was keen to praise his team as a whole, but couldn't resist some individual praise for Toure's efforts.
"As much as it was a team performances, Mo is obviously going to get the plaudits," he said.
"He could have done more in the first half, and he showed another side of himself in the second, and so it's great when one of your players gets a hat-trick."
Hodgson bemoaned his side's efforts after going ahead in the game.
"I thought we were decent value in the first half, and then Norwich stepped up their game," he said.
"We were a little bit unlucky with one or two of the goals they scored, but at 4-1 you're just hoping it's not going to be a further disaster.
"At the end of the day, it's disappointing because we we've had this dream after the three games.
"But today we came across a team who have been beating everybody, especially away from home, and so I have to accept it was our turn."
At the opposite end of the table, West Bromwich Albion's revival under James Morrison continued as goals from Josh Maja and Daryl Dike sealed a 2-0 win away to Preston North End.
