Floyd Samba Scores Twice on Dream Debut as Manchester City Thrash Norwich 5-0

Teenager Floyd Samba marked a memorable Manchester City first-team debut with two goals as the Carabao Cup holders swept aside Norwich City 5-0 to reach the fourth round.

The 17-year-old academy graduate, son of former Premier League defender Christopher Samba, struck in both halves as Enzo Maresca’s much-changed side comfortably overcame their Championship opponents. City will next face Brighton, who eliminated Manchester United on Wednesday.

Norwich initially frustrated the hosts, with Rico Lewis sending a rising effort narrowly over the crossbar. But the contest quickly swung City’s way when they scored twice in three minutes.

Samba opened the scoring with an instinctive flicked header from a cross supplied by fellow debutant Allan. Rayan Cherki then doubled the advantage, calmly finishing after being played through by Ayyoub Bouaddi.

City continued to dominate after the break. Allan, having created the opener, added his name to the scoresheet with some neat footwork before shifting the ball onto his left foot and drilling a low finish into the net.

Samba then produced the standout moment of the evening for his second goal. The teenager curled a composed finish into the far corner to complete his debut double before Ryan McAidoo struck late to make it 5-0.

Norwich briefly believed they had grabbed a consolation when substitute Mohamed Toure slipped the ball past debutant goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. The effort was ruled out for offside, however, allowing the Argentine to finish his first City appearance with a clean sheet.

The result continued Norwich’s miserable recent record against City. The Canaries have now lost their past three meetings with the Premier League side by an aggregate score of 19-0, while they have been beaten in all five League Cup encounters between the clubs.

Maresca made 10 changes from the team that defeated Manchester United on Sunday, with Cherki the only player to retain his place in the starting XI.

But Samba ensured the night belonged to City’s academy youngsters, turning his first senior start into an occasion to remember.

City have also responded emphatically to their heavy Community Shield defeat against Arsenal at the beginning of the campaign. Maresca’s team have now won six consecutive matches in all competitions and will look to maintain that momentum against Sunderland on Sunday before the three-week international break.