Manchester City secured a comfortable 5-0 victory over Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup, advancing to the last 16 to face Brighton & Hove Albion. The match, played on a rain-soaked evening, marked the continued strong start to the season under new manager Enzo Maresca, with City recording their sixth consecutive win across all competitions.
Maresca made significant changes to his lineup, fielding a largely rotated squad that featured ten new starters and three debutants. Among the newcomers was 17-year-old Floyd Samba, who was the standout performer of the night. Playing as a false nine, Samba scored twice, once in each half, and displayed composure and skill beyond his years. His goals opened the scoring at the 29th minute and extended the lead shortly after halftime, highlighting his finishing ability despite not being a traditional striker. Samba’s father, Chris Samba, a former Premier League defender, watched from the stands alongside other family members.
Rayan Cherki, the only player retained from City’s recent Manchester derby win, added a goal shortly after Samba’s first, doubling the advantage. Brazilian winger Allan, signed from Palmeiras during the summer transfer window, also marked his debut with a goal early in the second half, further cementing City’s dominance. The final goal came late in added time from substitute Ryan McAidoo after a well-crafted move.
Norwich City, competing in the Championship and also making nine changes to their usual squad, struggled to create meaningful chances against a confident and fluid City side. Their goalkeeper, Daniel Grimshaw, who formerly played in City’s youth system, was notably tested and struggled with a few moments of uncertainty. Despite some early activity on the flanks, Norwich were unable to break down City’s defense or reduce the deficit.
The match reflected Maresca’s tactical approach, which emphasized careful ball control, quick interplay, and the integration of young talents from the club’s academy. Maresca’s first six games in charge have all ended in victory, a strong start that has drawn comparisons to the previous era under Pep Guardiola, who led City to seven Carabao Cup titles including the most recent one last season.
City’s goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli also made his first appearance, handling his debut without significant trouble. The team’s rotation and performances from fringe players such as Allan suggest Maresca is building squad depth while maintaining the high standards set by his predecessor.
Overall, the match was a routine progression for Manchester City in the competition, but it offered a memorable breakthrough for Floyd Samba, who hinted at a promising future within the club’s senior ranks. Norwich will look to regroup after the defeat as they continue their Championship campaign.