Carabao Cup: Bouaddi and Aït-Nouri provide assists in Manchester City's emphatic win over Norwich

17.09.26 FT EFL Cup (Carabao Cup)

Manchester City

5

:

Norwich

0

Ayyoub Bouaddi and Rayan Aït-Nouri contributed to Manchester City's emphatic 5-0 win over Norwich on Thursday, September 17, in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Both players started and each provided an assist in a match largely controlled by the Citizens.

Bouaddi made his mark in the 32nd minute. After some good work from Floyd Samba, the Moroccan midfielder recovered the ball in the centre before playing a through ball for Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman got in behind the Norwich defence and scored the second goal with his right foot. Manchester City confirmed that Bouaddi was indeed behind the goal.

This assist came in Bouaddi's first start for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup. Until then, the player had been used sparingly in the Premier League since the start of the season. Opta data notably records two league appearances before this match, totalling 22 minutes.

Read also: Manchester City: A successful debut for Ayyoub Bouaddi

Aït-Nouri sets up Samba

Rayan Aït-Nouri had to wait until the second half to make his decisive contribution. In the 54th minute, Norwich tried to play out from the back but lost the ball. The Algeria international won possession and passed to Floyd Samba on the right side of the penalty area. The young forward controlled the ball before curling a shot into the corner of the net to make it 4-0.

It was Aït-Nouri's second assist for Manchester City this season if the one he provided in the Champions League against Porto is included. He set up Erling Haaland late in the match during the Citizens' 2-0 win in Portugal.

One clarification is necessary regarding the third goal. Allan scored in the 48th minute after winning the ball on the left, cutting inside and shooting with his left foot. Manchester City's official match report does not credit Aït-Nouri with an assist for that action.

A successful evening for City

Manchester City made the difference with five goals. Floyd Samba, making his first start for the first team at just 17, scored twice in the 29th and 54th minutes. Cherki scored in the 32nd minute, Allan in the 48th, and Ryan McAidoo completed the scoring in the 90th minute.

For Bouaddi, this match therefore marked his first assist of the season with Manchester City. For Aït-Nouri, it confirmed his contribution in attack following his assist in the Champions League against Porto. City continue their defence of the Carabao Cup and will face Brighton in the fourth round at the Etihad Stadium during the week of October 26.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

Related teams and leagues

Manchester City

Norwich

EFL Cup (Carabao Cup)