Manchester City 5-0 Norwich: Samba 29, 54, Cherki 32, Allan 48, McAidoo 90
Floyd Samba announced himself to the Manchester City first team with two goals on his debut as Enzo Maresca’s side swept aside Norwich 5-0 to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The 17-year-old forward scored once in each half at the Etihad and also played a part in Rayan Cherki’s goal, while fellow debutant Allan Elias and Ryan McAidoo completed a comfortable victory for the holders.
City will face Brighton in the next round after making light work of a Norwich side that made nine changes for the tie. Maresca also rotated heavily, making 10 changes from the team that beat Manchester United on Sunday, with Erling Haaland left out of the squad altogether.
Samba took advantage of his opportunity in the absence of City’s established forwards. His first goal arrived after Nico O’Reilly’s cross from the right was not dealt with by Norwich goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw. Allan collected the loose ball and sent it back across goal, allowing Samba to glance a header beyond Grimshaw and into the far corner.
City then struck again three minutes later. Samba showed good awareness in his own half to hold off the Norwich challenge before releasing Ayyoub Bouaddi. The midfielder carried the ball forward and found Cherki, who moved into space before finishing from the edge of the penalty area.
Norwich had managed to keep City relatively quiet before the opening goal, with Jacob Wright and Papa Amadou Diallo providing some threat from midfield. But once the hosts had taken control, the Championship side struggled to contain them.
Cherki was replaced at half-time, allowing another academy graduate, McAidoo, to enter the game.
Allan then marked his first City appearance with a goal of his own. The Brazilian winger received the ball on the left, moved inside and twice changed direction to escape Sam Field before driving a low shot into the far corner.
Samba added his second soon afterwards. Norwich were attempting to play out from the back when Rayan Ait-Nouri won possession and fed the teenager inside the area. Samba took his time before curling a precise finish into the far right corner, leaving Grimshaw with no chance.
McAidoo completed the scoring in the final minute after O’Reilly created the opening for him. The young forward kept his composure to finish and put the result beyond any doubt.
Norwich briefly threatened a consolation when Kellen Fisher missed the target after a move down the left, before Mohamed Toure had a goal ruled out.
