Georgios Samaras netted a last-minute winner on his first appearance of the season to give Manchester City victory over Norwich in the Carling Cup.

Chances were at a premium with Michael Ball going close with a free-kick while Norwich's Lee Croft was off target against his former side.

The hosts finished well and both Kelvin Etuhu and Rolando Bianchi went close.

And Samaras raced onto a Etuhu through ball in the dying stages to seal a place in the last 16.

Man City: Hart, Logan, Dunne, Onuoha, Ball, Jihai, Ireland, Gelson (Etuhu 68), Samaras, Geovanni (Evans 79), Bianchi.
Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Dabo, Williamson.

Goals: Samaras 90.

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Murray, Lappin, Russell, Jarvis, Spillane, Croft, Cureton, Brown.
Subs Not Used: Gilks, Strihavka, Eagle, Cave-Brown, Martin.

Booked: Spillane.

Att: 20,938.

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).