Manchester City youngster Floyd Samba described his senior debut as “mind-blowing” after netting a brace in the 5–0 EFL Cup third-round demolition of Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium.
The 17-year-old forward – son of former Blackburn Rovers and QPR defender Chris Samba – took centre stage as Enzo Maresca’s heavily rotated side easily swept aside Championship opposition to set up a fourth-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Samba set the holders on their way early on, rising to guide home a clever header following fine work down the right flank by fellow full debutant Allan. Rayan Cherki quickly doubled City’s advantage just three minutes later, latching onto a pinpoint Ayyoub Bouaddi pass to break Norwich’s high defensive line.
Allan made it 3–0 shortly after the interval with a sharp solo strike, cutting inside from the left before angling a finish across goal. Samba then capped his dream evening with City’s fourth before the hour mark, curling an exquisite effort into the net from a similar angle with his proud father watching on from the stands. Fellow academy talent Ryan McAidoo added a fifth in the final minute to complete the rout.
Speaking after the game, Samba reflected on learning he was in line for minutes against the Canaries.
He said: “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.”
The teenager, who has been part of City’s academy since Under-9 level, also admitted the step up from youth football to senior level was a major test physically and tactically.
He said: “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.”
EFL Cup: Fourth round
Fixtures to be played in 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
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