Floyd Samba scored twice on his Manchester City debut in a 5-0 Carabao Cup third-round win over Norwich City. The 17-year-old forward played the full 90 minutes and was named man of the match at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday. The victory sees City advance in the competition, with their next fixtures to be updated following the fourth-round draw.
Samba told reporters after the game that he knew an opportunity was coming. "To get a debut like that is mind-blowing," he said. "I couldn't believe it myself - but that is just the beginning, I have got a big career ahead of me." He broke the deadlock with a flicked header and later curled in a second goal, celebrating the first by blowing a kiss to family in the stands.
Manager Enzo Maresca said he was satisfied with the performance, not only the goals. "I asked him in the last three, four days, when I decided to play him as nine, he said he never played there," Maresca explained. "He is young, full of energy, strong, can finish, can set players up." Maresca also praised the overall team display, which featured several other young players, as a positive step for the squad depth.
Samba was prolific for City's under-18 side last season, scoring 24 goals and providing 10 assists. That form earned him a promotion to the first-team setup this summer. He also scored a stunning free-kick in the FA Youth Cup final victory over Manchester United in May. His rapid development is reflected in the club's youth stats pages.
The teenager is the son of former Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers defender Christopher Samba, who made 171 Premier League appearances. Floyd Samba said the step up to senior training has been demanding. "Coming from under-21s to first-team training, that is a big jump," he added. "The sessions are more tiring, you have to run more. They demand more of you and you have to cope with it."
Manchester City's comprehensive victory sets up a fourth-round tie, with the draw to be made later. Samba's emergence adds to the attacking options available to Maresca, who will hope to give the youngster more chances as the season progresses. The player's older brother, Tyrone, is also part of the club's youth setup. The result continues City's strong domestic form as they also compete at the top of the Premier League standings.
Manchester City host Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 20. The club confirmed its starting line-up from the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich, which featured debutant Floyd Samba. City are second in the Premier League with 12 points from four wins. They are on a five-game winning run in all competitions, having beaten Manchester United, FC Porto, Coventry and Crystal Palace prior to the Norwich victory.
Manchester City will face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup fourth round. The club confirmed the draw on Friday, setting up the tie for the defending champions. Manager Enzo Maresca said he was satisfied with Floyd Samba's overall performance in the 5-0 win over Norwich, not only his two goals. "He didn't play as a nine before, we tried in the last two or three days," Maresca said. "He is very good at finishing so it was a very good game for him." City, who are second in the Premier League with 12 points from four wins, host Sunderland on Sunday.
Manchester City will face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup fourth round, the club confirmed on Friday. The draw sets up the tie for the defending champions. Brazilian midfielder Allan scored on his debut in the 5-0 win over Norwich, the club confirmed. Allan, a 34 million pounds signing from Palmeiras, fired home in the 48th minute. City, who are second in the Premier League with 12 points from four wins, host Sunderland on Sunday.
Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana said the club had tracked new signing Allan for two years. Viana said staff have been instructed to give the Brazilian time to adapt to life in England. Allan, who scored on his debut in the 5-0 win over Norwich, provided the assist for Floyd Samba's opening goal. Viana said, "We also believe that he will be an important player in that position." City, second in the Premier League with 12 points from four wins, host Sunderland on Sunday.
