There was an unmistakable sense of excitement at the Etihad Stadium as Enzo Maresca continued his sensational start to life in charge of Manchester City. Facing Norwich City in the third round of the Carabao Cup, the Italian manager took the opportunity to trust the club's famed academy system, putting on a total football clinic in a dominant 5–0 victory. The performance was a testament to the depth and technical mastery flowing through City's youth ranks.
From the opening whistle, #ManCity completely dictated the rhythm of the game, led in midfield by academy graduates Rico Lewis and Nico O'Reilly. The duo ran the show with maturity way beyond their years, controlling transitions, breaking lines, and leaving Norwich chasing shadows in the Manchester rain. But the headline of the night belonged to 17-year-old Floyd Samba, who put on a stunning display on his professional debut. Samba opened the scoring in the 28th minute before adding a second after the break, displaying incredible instincts in front of goal. With Rayan Cherki, Allan, and fellow young substitute Ryan McAidoo all getting on the scoresheet, #City’s relentless press and seamless passing moves dismantled #Norwich at every turn.
What makes this victory so compelling is how easily Maresca has integrated these young players into his system without sacrificing a single drop of quality. Six games into the 2026/27 campaign, Maresca’s record remains absolutely spotless: six matches played, six victories, zero draws, and zero defeats. He has turned the #Etihad into a fortress while establishing a tactical identity that empowers both seasoned superstars and local academy prospects. If this start is any indication of what lies ahead, Maresca is building something truly special in #Manchester.