This match had the makings of a disaster for Karl Robinson and his side. The U’s had just one league win from their opening nine league games of the season, the Imps had won five of the last six meetings between the two sides and, to top it off, they appointed former Oxford manager Michael Appleton as their new boss the day before the game.
But, with Appleton watching from the stands as he was due to take over after the weeknd, it was the perfect afternoon for Oxford. Tariqe Fosu netted a wonderful hat-trick, Jamie Mackie and James Henry both struck sweet strikes before Matty Taylor opened his account after rejoining his boyhood club on loan from Bristol City.
Not only was the result outstanding, but it was also the clubs highest ever away victory in the Football League.
