Manchester City opened the defence of their Carabao Cup title in style, thrashing Championship side Norwich 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium as 17-year-old academy graduate Floyd Samba scored twice on his senior debut. The result sends the holders into a fourth-round tie away at Brighton, who beat Manchester United earlier in the week.
A Debut to Remember for Floyd Samba
Samba, the son of former Blackburn and QPR defender Chris Samba, was handed the central striking role with Erling Haaland rested for the third-round tie. He wasted no time making an impression, teeing up Rico Lewis for an early effort that flashed just over the bar inside nine minutes.
The teenager’s reward came in the 29th minute. Nico O’Reilly whipped in a deep cross from the left that was cut back into danger by fellow debutant Allan, and Samba rose to steer a composed header past the Norwich goalkeeper for his first senior goal.
He wasn’t finished. Early in the second half, Samba added a superb curling finish from a similar position on the right of the box, capping what manager Enzo Maresca will consider a statement performance from one of his academy’s brightest prospects.
Watching from the stands was his father, Chris Samba, who made 171 Premier League appearances across his career — with another son, Tyrone, also contracted to City’s academy.
Three Debuts, One Dominant Night
Samba wasn’t the only City player enjoying a first outing for the club. Brazilian winger Allan and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli also made their maiden starts, with Maresca making ten changes in total from City’s 1-0 derby win over Manchester United just days earlier.
Allan’s impact went well beyond his assist for Samba’s opener. Early in the second half, he cut in from the left, shifted the ball onto his favoured foot, and curled a finish into the far corner to make it 3-0 — marking his Etihad debut with a goal of his own.
Cherki and McAidoo Complete the Rout
City’s second goal arrived just three minutes after Samba’s opener, when Rayan Cherki latched onto a defence-splitting pass from Ayyoub Bouaddi and ran in behind a high Norwich defensive line to finish confidently.
With the scoreline already comfortable, substitute Ryan McAidoo — another product of City’s academy — put the finishing touches on the win in the 89th minute, converting the end of a flowing team move to make it 5-0.
What the Result Means
Despite fielding a heavily rotated side, City’s dominance over Championship opposition was never in doubt, extending their winning run in all competitions to six matches. Norwich, who set up defensively to try to frustrate City and hit them on the counter, had no real answer once City’s academy graduates began to click.
The win sets up a mouth-watering fourth-round trip to Brighton, who impressed with a win over Manchester United in midweek and will provide City’s toughest test yet as they chase a tenth League Cup title.
EFL Cup Fourth Round Draw
The fourth round will be played in the week of 26 October 2026:
- Fleetwood Town v Arsenal
- Manchester City v Brighton
- Everton v Newcastle
- Sunderland v Brentford
- Liverpool v Chelsea
- Bradford City v Peterborough
- Fulham v Crystal Palace
- Bournemouth v Aston Villa
