Manchester City uncovered a surprising solution to the query of who might fill in for Erling Haaland when Floyd Samba netted two goals in a 5-0 Carabao Cup triumph over Norwich City.
The 17-year-old midfielder was an unexpected starter for Enzo Maresca and made his first-team debut count. With Haaland given a rest, City scored five times, with Samba joined on the scoresheet by Allan Elias, Rayan Cherki, and Ryan McAidoo.
Floyd Samba spearheads Man City attack
Samba broke the deadlock with a angled header after Allan whipped a cross into the box. His second goal arrived later as the teenager curled the ball into the net from a tight angle, carrying his scoring touch from City’s youth sides to the senior team.
The 17-year-old was also deeply involved in City’s build-up play, trying defence-splitting passes and releasing Rico Lewis when the academy product was positioned to score. His display offered more than just a stand-in presence in attack.
Samba had previously scored in the FA Youth Cup final, while his father Christopher Samba was in the stands to watch his son celebrate his brace. Floyd is an England Under-17 international and has a German mother.
With City having only one specialist striker in their senior squad, Haaland’s absence gave Samba an opportunity. Haaland had scored City’s previous five goals, but City responded by finding the net five times without him.
Man City rotation delivers five-goal win
City’s victory was effectively sealed during a three-minute spell around the half-hour mark. Cherki made it 2-0 after Ayyoub Bouaddi sent him clear before Allan marked his City debut with a precise finish following a sharp turn.
Allan’s arrival from Palmeiras cost £32m, and the Brazilian has effectively replaced his compatriot Savio while operating on the right wing. He combined an assist with a goal on his first appearance for the club.
Maresca made 10 changes, with Mateo Kovacic captaining City for the first time following the summer departures of several senior players. Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi, and Antoine Semenyo were among the more experienced players left on the bench.
Rayan Cherki was the only City player from the previous team to retain his place after being substituted at half-time against Manchester United. He was replaced again at the break, while City continued their rotation with further changes.
Man City academy talents shine
The win also highlighted City’s youth system. Rico Lewis, Nico O’Reilly, and Samba started, while Ryan McAidoo and Kaden Braithwaite added to their first-team experience from the bench. McAidoo, 18, scored City’s fifth after receiving O’Reilly’s pass, registering his second senior goal.
The formation was fluid throughout the match, at times resembling a 2-7-1 setup, while Bouaddi occasionally dropped into defence. Lewis and O’Reilly appeared to operate as nominal full-backs who moved into more advanced positions, particularly Lewis.
Geronimo Rulli, the city’s cheapest summer signing, kept a clean sheet on his debut. Norwich’s Mohamed Toure did beat him, but the striker’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Norwich made nine changes of their own and entered the match 14th in the Championship. They defended with determination while the score remained level, packing the penalty area, but ultimately could not prevent the Carabao Cup holders from advancing.
Man City advances to face Brighton
City’s fifth consecutive victory was completed without needing the senior players Maresca had kept in reserve. Their reward is a fourth-round meeting with Brighton, who had eliminated Manchester United after coming from 2-0 down.
Norwich managed seven shots to City’s five before half-time and enjoyed a period of possession after the break, but City maintained control of the contest and protected their lead.
The result gave City’s understudies an evening to remember, with two debutants contributing to the goals and three teenagers finding the net. Samba’s brace was the clearest sign that City’s attacking options extend beyond their established striker.
For the 17-year-old, the night also provided a personal milestone as he followed his youth team’s scoring form onto the first-team stage, while his father watched from the stands.