Floyd Samba scored twice on his first start for Manchester City as the holders beat Norwich 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The 17-year-old academy graduate was one of three players given a maiden City start, alongside goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli and the Brazilian winger Allan. Enzo Maresca made 10 changes from the side that won Sunday's derby at Manchester United, and the reshuffled team still kept Norwich without a shot on target, according to Sky Sports.
A header, then a curling finish after the break
Samba opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a header, set up by Allan, and Rayan Cherki made it 2-0 three minutes later after a pass from Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Allan marked his own debut in the 48th minute, working the ball onto his left foot and finishing low into the corner. Samba's second came in the 54th, when Rayan Aït-Nouri found him on the right of the box and he curled the ball past the goalkeeper Grimshaw. Substitute Ryan McAidoo added the fifth in the 89th minute, and Norwich had a goal disallowed for offside.
Highlights via Manchester City
Maresca praised more than the goals
Speaking after the game, Maresca said Samba's display went beyond his finishing.
Not just for the two goals, for the entire performance he was good. He didn't play many games as a nine, we tried in the last two or three games. He is very good at finishing the action. It was a good game for him.
Enzo Maresca, speaking to Sky Sports
On Allan, who played the full match, Maresca said it had not been easy for him in his first 90 minutes.
Brighton visit in the fourth round
The win was City's sixth in a row in all competitions. It sets up a home tie with Brighton, who knocked Manchester United out on Wednesday after coming from 2-0 down at Old Trafford. Fourth-round ties are scheduled for the week commencing 26 October.
Before that, City play Sunderland on Sunday, the last game before the international break.
