Man City 5-0 Norwich: Floyd Samba enjoys dream debut with double to book place in Carabao Cup fourth round for Enzo Maresca's side
Report and free match highlights from the Carabao Cup third-round tie between Manchester City and Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium; Floyd Samba, son of ex-defender Chris, scored twice on debut; Allan also marked first appearance with a goal and Rayan Cherki scored
Thursday 17 September 2026 22:14, UK
Floyd Samba enjoyed a dream debut by scoring twice as holders Manchester City booked their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 5-0 home win over Norwich.
Samba, 17, the son of former Premier League defender Chris, introduced himself in perfect style with his stooping header to open the scoring before Rayan Cherki doubled City's lead soon after.
Having assisted the first for Samba, fellow debutant Allan joined in on the scoring after dancing into the box and driving a low shot into the bottom corner to mark another emphatic introduction to the home fans at the Etihad Stadium.
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Samba built on his strong start to life in the senior squad, as his father watched on from the stands, when he calmly curled home a fourth goal for City.
Norwich were denied a consolation goal when substitute Mohamed Toure's effort was disallowed for offside, meaning the visitors walked away without a shot on target registered, and Ryan McAidoo would add to their misery with a late goal to make it five for the hosts.
A sixth straight win for Enzo Maresca's side now tees up a fourth-round clash with Brighton at home in the next round.
The key moments from the Etihad
29: GOAL! Dream debut for 17-year-old Samba as his stooping header opens the scoring.
32: GOAL! Cherki doubles the lead with a neat finish into the bottom corner after latching onto an Ayyoub Bouaddi pass.
39: BIG CHANCE FOR SAMBA! The young forward takes it in his stride and breaks into the box but Bruno Alves makes a strong recovery challenge to deal with the danger before he can shoot.
48: GOAL! Allan scores on his debut after assisting the opener with a low driven shot into the bottom corner.
54: GOAL! The pick of the goals as Samba grabs his second with a curling effort into the bottom-right corner.
68: MCAIDOO DENIED! Samba at the heart of it again as he feeds in McAidoo, who has a low strike across goal which is well saved by Daniel Grimshaw.
74: DISALLOWED! Toure slots a consolation goal in but the offside flag cuts their celebrations short.
90: GOAL! McAidoo completes the scoring with a fifth goal for the hosts.
Maresca praises debutants Samba and Allan
Man City boss Enzo Maresca:
"Not just for the two goals, for the entire performance he was good. He didn't play many games as a nine, we tried in the last two or three games.
"He is very good at finishing the action. It was a good game for him. I have said since day one, I am happy with the way we are working.
"It was not an easy game. The players were serious and professional."
On the performance of Allan on debut: "It was not easy for him, first time with 90 minutes. It is always complicated but it was important for him to play.
"English competition is different to South America. He has scored a goal and an assist so overall, he is happy.
"We have many games and we are just at the beginning of the season. The ones who play tonight will play Premier League or Champions League."
'Enzo's dream start at Man City rolls on'
Sky Sports News' Ben Ransom at the Etihad Stadium:
"Enzo Maresca's perfect start as Man City boss is rolling on. Since his players lifted the tempo, they have shown more than enough energy and craft.
"To make 10 changes and win so handsomely is a real statement of intent. Not many would have predicted Maresca winning his first six competitive matches after taking over from Pep Guardiola.
"With Cherki off at half-time attention can now firmly switch towards the visit of Sunderland at the weekend, and the ambition to make it a perfect seven before the international break."
Clement blames naivety for City defeat
Norwich City boss Philippe Clement:
"The team played in a good structure, well organised and the boys were disciplined. After 20 minutes, Man City started to get a little bit annoyed because they could not create.
"Then you get the first goal and we need to do better on that cross. Then on a transition they get a second goal; we were naive.
"There are good lessons to take. We missed the right choices in the final third; we had some good opportunities. We scored a goal but it was offside.
"I saw good individual performances from players but it is hard to take five goals with just six shots on target. Those are not good statistics."
