Manchester City’s English midfielder #56 Ryan McAidoo (C) celebrates scoring the team’s fifth goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Manchester City and Norwich City at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, northwest England on September 17, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
Floyd Samba enjoyed a memorable Manchester City debut, scoring twice as the Premier League side cruised to a 5-0 victory over Norwich City in the League Cup.
The win secured City’s place in the last 16, where they will face Brighton.
Samba, 17, was one of 10 changes made by Enzo Maresca following Sunday’s dramatic derby victory over Manchester United, and the teenager seized his opportunity with an impressive display.
“To get a debut like that is mind blowing. I couldn’t believe it myself,” Samba said after the match.
“But that’s just the beginning, I’ve got a big career ahead of me. It was a great debut.”
The youngster, who is the son of former Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers defender Chris Samba, opened the scoring by stooping to head in Allan’s cross after Norwich goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw failed to deal with the delivery.
Rayan Cherki doubled City’s advantage after Ayyoub Bouaddi, making his first start at the Etihad Stadium following his €100 million (£86 million) move from Lille, provided the assist.
Cherki raced clear before calmly finishing past the advancing Grimshaw.
Brazilian midfielder Allan, who recently joined City from Palmeiras in a £34 million ($46 million) transfer, then marked his first appearance for the club with a superb individual goal.
He weaved through the Norwich defence before firing into the far corner in the 48th minute.
Samba added his second moments later, capitalising on another defensive lapse before curling a fine effort into the far corner.
Ryan McAidoo, another product of City’s promising academy, completed the rout late in the game.
Norwich had also made nine changes as they prioritised their Championship promotion campaign, but they struggled to cope with City’s youthful second-string side.
The victory extended Maresca’s perfect start as Pep Guardiola’s successor to six consecutive wins across three competitions.
