Floyd Samba Scores Twice on Manchester City Debut in Norwich Rout
Manchester City’s academy players took centre stage in a 5-0 third-round win over Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium, where 17-year-old Floyd Samba scored twice on his senior debut and Allan also marked his first appearance with a goal and assist.
Match facts
| Item | Detail | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Manchester City 5-0 Norwich City | Third-round tie at the Etihad Stadium |
| Floyd Samba | Goals in 29th and 54th minutes | Senior debut at age 17 |
| Allan | Assist, then goal after half-time | Another debutant in City’s changed side |
| Next round | Brighton at home | Fourth-round draw |
Enzo Maresca made 10 alterations to the team that had beaten Manchester United, giving a number of younger players an opportunity while Erling Haaland was left out of the starting side. Samba led the attack and quickly showed an ability to hold the ball up and connect City’s forward play.
The striker, son of former Blackburn Rovers defender Christopher Samba, opened the scoring after 29 minutes. Allan supplied the delivery from wide and Samba guided a header beyond Norwich goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw. The goal brought a loud response from the home support, who began singing the teenager’s name.
City extended their lead three minutes later through Ryan Cherki, and Norwich’s chances of mounting a response disappeared shortly after the interval. Allan cut inside onto his left foot and drove a low finish past Grimshaw, completing an influential first-team bow.
With Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis dictating possession in midfield, City retained control against their Championship visitors despite the wet conditions in Manchester. Samba then added a second in the 54th minute, taking Rayan Ait-Nouri’s pass on the right of the box before bending a composed finish into the far corner.
Maresca kept the 17-year-old on the field until the final whistle as City searched for a debut hat-trick. Samba, one of two siblings currently in the club’s academy, did not find a third, but Ryan McAidoo completed the scoring in the 89th minute after a flowing team move.
City will face Brighton at the Etihad in the fourth round after the Seagulls defeated Manchester United. The result allows Maresca to enter the approaching international break having rested established players, with Sunderland next on the Premier League schedule.
