Debut delight for Samba and Allan as City power past Norwich

17-year-old Academy graduate Samba was one of a trio afforded their maiden City starts alongside Gerónimo Rulli and Allan.

And he truly enjoyed a night to savour by first opening the scoring with a 29th minute header before then bagging a brilliant second early in the second half.

Allan more than made his mark too, the Brazilian winger marking his Etihad bow with a superb second half effort after Rayan Cherki had also struck before the break.

And an 89th minute effort from substitute Ryan McAidoo rounded off the evening perfectly.

It may have been a different-looking City, with Enzo Maresca making 10 changes in total from Sunday’s 1-0 derby win at United, but the end result and dominant display was comfortingly familiar.

City’s reward for what was a sixth straight win in all competitions is a fourth-round home tie against Brighton late next month.

The game in brief

With the fixtures coming fast and furious, Blues boss Maresca chose the onset of this season’s Carabao Cup to freshen things up.

And debutant Samba – entrusted with the central striking role with Erling Haaland rested – was straight into the action, superbly teeing up Rico Lewis for a ninth minute shot that was a fraction over.

With Norwich packing bodies behind the ball and seeking to break on the counter it required patience and composure for City

But our approach was rewarded on 29 minutes with a dream debut goal for Samba.

Nico O’Reilly fired in a deep cross from the left flank which was diverted to Allan on the oppositive wing.

The Brazilian did well to instantly despatch an inviting ball into the heart of the box and Samba showed brilliant awareness and poise to steer a deft header home to the delight of the Etihad.

Within three minutes City’s grip on the game was further solidified as Cherki doubled the advantage.

Ayyoub Bouaddi was the provider, the Moroccan threading a neat pass from the middle of the Blues’ half that was diverted into the path of the onrushing Cherki.

The French wizard needed no second invitation to power on before drilling a low shot past former City keeper Daniel Grimshaw.

It almost got better for City and Samba on 39 minutes as the teenager burst clear again in the Canaries box before a timely block from Kellen Fisher averted the danger.

However just three minutes after the restart a third goal did arrive – as Allan marked his City debut in memorable fashion too – the winger cutting in from the left of the box before firing home a low shot past Grimshaw.
 

And the Samba beat then continued on 54 minutes.

Rayan Aït-Nouri fed Samba on the right of the box and the teenager coolly curled a brilliant shot past Grimshaw.

Norwich did have the ball in the City net via Mohamed Toure on 75 minutes but the Canaries sub was flagged for offside as Rulli enjoyed a clean sheet on his bow

And a perfect night was then rounded off a minute into injury time when substitute Ryan McAidoo found the target, his sweet finish rounding off a flowing move.

Teams

CITY XI: Rulli, Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, O’Reilly, Bouaddi, Kovačić, Samba, Allan (Braithwaite 71), Aït-Nouri, Cherki (McAidoo 45)

Subs: Donnarumma, Anderson, Guéhi, Ndiaye, Fernández, Nunes, Semenyo.

NORWICH: Grimshaw, Fisher, Alves (McConville 71), Darling, Yongwa, Wright, Field, Crnac (Musaba 62), Slimane (Toure 71), Diallo (Maghoma 45), Kvistgaarden (Schwartau 85)

Subs: Kovacevic, Stacey, Chrisene, Mattsson.

Attendance: 32,451

Star player

Who else but Floyd Samba.

The 17-year-old was afforded the responsibility of leading the line and thrived in the role.

Aside from his two superb strikes, he was a real handful for the visitors every time he got on the ball and looked totally at home on the big stage.

It was yet more compelling evidence of the amazing production line of talent that constantly emerges from City’s famed Academy.

And for Samba it’s a night he will never, ever forget!

Magnificent seven

Tonight’s victory also extended City’s fine home record against the Canaries.

It means City have now won seven of our last eight home games against Norwich City in all competitions (L1).

What’s more, City have now our last five games in a row by an aggregate score of 23-1.

Enzo’s verdict

I am satisfied not just for goals for the entire performance he was good. He didn’t play games as a 9 but we tried him there in the last few days. He’s very good finishing and the actions.

He is a not a 9 for sure but he was good, he is young full of energy, strong and he made some good decisions, but they are young and we need to go slowly

SAMBA verdict

Right before the game yesterday, the day before - I knew there would be an opportunity to get some minutes for the first time with the first team - to get a debut like that is mind blowing. I couldn’t believe it myself - but that’s just the beginning, I’ve got a big career ahead of me. It was a great debut.

I couldn’t be happier right now, being my first senior debut, you have to expect everything to go well, the intensity, the level of players, everything goes up and you have to be able to match it and cope with it, and I think I did well with that.

What it means

City’s reward for tonight’s victory is a fourth-round tie at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.

The tie is set to be played at the Etihad in the week beginning October 26 with a precise date and kick-off time to be confirmed in due course.

What’s next

The Blues’ final fixture ahead of the September international break is back here at the Etihad when we play host to Sunderland in the Premier League.

Kick-off for what is another crucial clash is set for 14.00 (UK).