Manchester City began their Carabao Cup title defence in emphatic fashion as 17-year-old Floyd Samba marked his senior debut with two goals in a 5-0 victory over Norwich City.
The teenager, son of former Premier League defender Christopher Samba, struck once in each half as Enzo Maresca’s side comfortably progressed to the fourth round, where they will face Brighton.
City needed time to break down the Championship visitors, with Rico Lewis sending an early effort narrowly over the bar. The contest quickly swung in the hosts’ favour, however, when they scored twice in the space of three minutes.
Samba opened the scoring by guiding a header into the net from a cross delivered by fellow debutant Allan. Rayan Cherki then doubled the advantage after racing on to Ayyoub Bouaddi’s pass and finishing calmly past the goalkeeper.
Allan added City’s third shortly after the interval. The Brazilian created space with sharp footwork before switching the ball onto his left foot and driving a low shot into the corner.
Samba produced the standout finish for his second, curling a composed effort beyond the Norwich defence to complete an impressive first appearance for the senior side.
Ryan McAidoo added a fifth late in the match to underline City’s dominance.
Norwich believed they had pulled one back through substitute Mohamed Toure, who finished past debutant goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, but the effort was disallowed for offside.
The decision ensured City completed a convincing opening cup victory with a clean sheet and secured a meeting with Brighton in the next round.