Samba scores twice as Manchester City cruise past Norwich in League Cup

Floyd Samba marked his Manchester City debut with two goals as Enzo Maresca’s much-changed side swept aside Norwich City 5-0 in the English League Cup third round.

The victory sends City into the last 16, where they will face Brighton, and extended Maresca’s perfect beginning as Pep Guardiola’s successor to six straight wins in three competitions.

Maresca made 10 changes to the team that beat Manchester United in a dramatic derby while down to 10 men on Sunday. The reshuffled line-up still proved far too strong for a Norwich side that had also made nine alterations, with their main priority remaining promotion from the Championship.

Samba, 17, gave himself an ideal introduction to senior football by opening the scoring. The French midfielder stooped to head in a cross from Allan after Norwich goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw failed to deal with the delivery.

The teenager is the son of former Blackburn and QPR defender Chris Samba, and he later added a second goal to complete an impressive debut.

City handed Ayyoub Bouaddi his first start at the Etihad Stadium following his 100 million euro (£86 million) move from Lille. The midfielder supplied the pass for the hosts’ second goal, releasing Rayan Cherki, who moved clear before calmly guiding his finish beyond the advancing Grimshaw.

Allan also made his first appearance since joining City from Palmeiras in a £34 million ($46 million) transfer. His arrival had attracted less attention than the club’s other major moves for Bouaddi, Enzo Fernandez, Elliott Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye.

The Brazilian underlined his ability shortly after half-time, producing a twisting individual run before sending a precise finish into the far corner in the 48th minute.

Norwich’s defending again let them down moments later, allowing Samba to find space and curl a superb effort into the far corner for his second goal.

Ryan McAidoo, another member of City’s promising group of teenagers, completed the scoring late in the match when he stroked the ball into the net.

The result provided City with a comfortable progression from a tie in which their second-string team completely outclassed Norwich, while Samba emerged as the standout performer on a night of first appearances and opportunities for the club’s young players.