Floyd Samba scores twice on first Man City start in Norwich cup rout
Samba marked his first senior start for City with two goals in a 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich, taking his chance at centre-forward while Erling Haaland was rested. The 17-year-old headed in from an Allan delivery shortly before the half-hour and later bent in a second to make an immediate case for further cup involvement.
Match facts
| Item | Detail | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Result | City 5-0 Norwich | Carabao Cup |
| Samba | Two goals | First senior goal and first start |
| Next league match | Sunderland, Sunday | Haaland is expected to return |
| Next cup tie | Brighton at home | Week beginning October 26 |
Rayan Cherki and Allan were also on the scoresheet as City established control, while Ryan McAidoo added the final goal late in the contest. But Samba’s display was the defining individual story, particularly given the responsibility handed to an academy forward in Haaland’s usual role.
The decision had been prepared in advance rather than made on the night. Enzo Maresca spoke with Samba on Tuesday about the possibility of using him as the No. 9, and the teenager said he became aware as the match approached that he would be in the starting side.
“It was an amazing game,” Samba said after the victory. “This is what I dreamed about, and making it happen is the best feeling in the world right now. Enzo spoke to me on Tuesday about playing as a number nine. As the game got closer, I knew I would start, so I had to get myself mentally ready. I think I handled it well.”
For his opening goal, Samba said he had been influenced by watching Haaland’s work in the penalty area. When the ball reached Allan, he anticipated the next delivery and attacked it to finish with a header.
“Watching Erling, he is always prepared for the next ball,” Samba said. “I had to be ready to get the header away.”
His second was a more individual finish. Samba dropped into space when Rayan Ait-Nouri had no forward option, received possession and curled his shot home. He said he recognised that the room around him offered a shooting opportunity.
“I knew I had to come back because Rayan Ait-Nouri did not have an option,” Samba said. “There was space around me, and when I get into that area and can get a shot away, there is a good chance it goes in.”
City now return to Premier League duty against Sunderland on Sunday, when Haaland is expected to resume his place in the starting line-up. Samba’s contribution nevertheless gives Maresca a further option to consider when domestic cup matches return.
The reward for the Norwich win is a home tie with Brighton in the next round. The Seagulls, who eliminated Manchester United on Wednesday, will travel to the Etihad Stadium in the week beginning October 26.
