17-year-old English midfielder Floyd Samba made an unforgettable senior debut for Manchester City, scoring two impressive goals and earning the man of the match award in their dominant 5-0 League Cup victory against Norwich City.
IMAGE: Floyd Samba celebrates scoring Manchester City’s first goal against Norwich City during the League Cup match at Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Thursday. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters
Key Points
- Floyd Samba, 17, scored two goals and was named man of the match in his senior debut for Manchester City.
- Samba played in an unfamiliar number nine role during City’s 5-0 League Cup win over Norwich City.
- The English midfielder’s goals came from a precise header and a bending shot from 20 yards.
- Samba expressed disbelief at his debut performance and credited advice from established first-team players.
Floyd Samba wanted to give a good account of himself on his Manchester City senior debut but scoring twice and being named man of the match in Thursday’s 5-0 League Cup win over Norwich City was more than the 17-year-old could have hoped for.
A Dream Debut Performance
IMAGE: Floyd Samba scored Manchester City’s first goal with a precise header in the 28th minute. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters
City manager Enzo Maresca promoted the English midfielder to the first team after he excelled in the under-18 setup last season, and played him in an unfamiliar number nine role for the third-round match at the Etihad Stadium.
But Samba seized the opportunity, scoring the game’s first goal with a precise header in the 28th minute before bending a shot into the corner from 20 yards early in the second half.
Confidence from Teammates
“To get a debut like that is mind blowing. I couldn’t believe it myself, but that is just the beginning, I have got a big career ahead of me,” he told the BBC, adding that the established first-team players had given him some advice.
“I spoke to all of them , they have all been brilliant … giving me advice like, play your game, be you. Those words have given me confidence and helped me score those two goals today.”
Defending champions City will host Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round next month.
