Manchester City began their defence of the Carabao Cup in emphatic fashion on Thursday night, cruising to a 5-0 victory over Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium to secure their place in the fourth round.
A much-changed City side took time to find their rhythm, but once Floyd Samba broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, the floodgates opened. The 17-year-old academy forward went on to score twice on his senior debut, while Rayan Cherki, fellow debutant Allan Elias and Ryan McAidoo also found the net.
The result extended Manchester City’s winning run to six consecutive matches in all competitions and ensured they advanced comfortably despite making 10 changes from the side that started Sunday’s Manchester derby victory over Manchester United.
With Erling Haaland rested, manager Enzo Maresca handed Samba the responsibility of leading the attack. The teenager immediately looked comfortable in the unfamiliar surroundings of senior football and almost made an early impact in the ninth minute.
Samba created space for Rico Lewis, who received the ball in a promising position before sending his effort over the crossbar.
Norwich spent much of the opening period defending deep, attempting to frustrate City’s possession game and threaten on the counterattack. The visitors managed to keep the score level for almost half an hour, but City’s persistence eventually paid off.
The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute.
Nico O’Reilly delivered a deep cross from the left side towards the far post. The ball reached Allan Elias, who reacted quickly and sent a first-time delivery back into the danger area. Samba showed excellent anticipation and produced a superb diving header that found the net, giving City a 1-0 lead.
It was a dream moment for the academy graduate, who was making his first senior appearance for the club.
City needed only three more minutes to double their advantage.
In the 32nd minute, Ayyoub Bouaddi picked up possession and played a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman advanced into space before calmly placing a low finish beyond Norwich goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw.
The goal made it 2-0 and gave City much greater control of the contest.
Samba almost added another before the break when he burst into the Norwich penalty area in the 39th minute, but a timely recovery challenge prevented him from getting his shot away. City nevertheless went into half-time two goals ahead.
The second half began with another City goal, and this time Allan took centre stage.
Three minutes after the restart, in the 48th minute, Rayan Aït-Nouri supplied the ball to the Brazilian debutant on the left side of the penalty area. Allan drove at his marker, created room with a clever change of direction and fired a low shot into the far corner.
The finish gave Allan a goal to accompany his assist on his Manchester City debut and put the hosts firmly in command at 3-0.
Samba then completed his remarkable debut in the 54th minute.
Aït-Nouri was again involved, finding the young forward inside the right side of the penalty area. Samba took the opportunity with confidence, curling an excellent effort beyond Grimshaw and into the bottom corner.
The second goal made it 4-0 and capped a memorable night for the teenager, who had already impressed with his movement and composure before finding the net twice.
Norwich attempted to find something to take away from the match and came close through Anthony Musaba in the 63rd minute, when the substitute sent a powerful volley narrowly wide.
The visitors eventually thought they had pulled one back in the 74th minute when Mohamed Toure finished beyond Gerónimo Rulli. However, the celebrations were quickly ended by the assistant referee’s offside flag, with the goal ruled out.
The decision ensured Rulli, making his Manchester City debut in goal, maintained a clean sheet. Norwich ultimately failed to register a shot on target, underlining City’s defensive control on the night.
City continued searching for a fifth goal and finally got it in the 90th minute.
O’Reilly broke forward down the left before sending the ball into the area. Samba cleverly allowed the pass to run through him, creating the opening for Ryan McAidoo. The substitute then finished confidently to complete the 5-0 victory and add another academy-produced moment to City’s impressive evening.
The final whistle confirmed City’s progression to the Carabao Cup fourth round, where they will face Brighton & Hove Albion at home.
For Maresca, the result was another positive step in his early tenure. Making 10 changes and still producing a five-goal victory demonstrated the depth available within his squad, while the performances of Samba and Allan provided two particularly encouraging stories.
For Samba, the evening will be remembered for years to come. Two goals on his first-team debut, in front of the Etihad crowd, announced the teenager on the senior stage in spectacular fashion.
Manchester City 5-0 Norwich City
Goals:
29′ Floyd Samba, assist Allan Elias
32′ Rayan Cherki, assist Ayyoub Bouaddi
48′ Allan Elias, assist Rayan Aït-Nouri
54′ Floyd Samba, assist Rayan Aït-Nouri
90′ Ryan McAidoo, assist Nico O’Reilly
Key event: Mohamed Toure’s 74th-minute goal for Norwich was ruled out for offside.
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Competition: Carabao Cup, Third Round
Result: Manchester City 5-0 Norwich City
Next round: Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion.
