Samaras claims City winner

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Samaras, a £6million signing by Stuart Pearce, has never been a favourite of the City faithful.

But he turned some of the jeers to cheers on his first appearance of the season, racing onto Shaleum Logan's through ball to seal a place in the last 16 after a drab encounter at Eastlands.

With only three chances of any note, the hosts seemed set to be taken into extra-time until Samaras found his range, charging clear of the Canaries defence to set the Blues fans chirping.

City have not been in the top four for very long but manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has quickly adopted the same Carling Cup strategy as England's Champions League contenders.

The Swede assured everyone he was taking the competition - the last major trophy City have won - seriously, then promptly dropped nine of his starting line-up from the weekend draw at Fulham.

Indeed, the nearest City came to breaking the deadlock was from one of the free-kicks Geovanni did not take, Michael Ball curling an effort towards the top corner which David Marshall unconvincingly fumbled away.

At the other end, England Under-21 international Joe Hart was somewhat more certain of his angles as he flew to his left to steer a 20-yard Jon Otsemobor free-kick away from danger.

And that, in terms of goalmouth action, was more or less it apart from one Samaras shot.

The Greek forward - in the best manner possible - finished off Logan superb through ball to ensure the Premier League high-flyers overcame a their determined Championship opponents.