New addition, Antoine Semenyo, netted on his debut as merciless Manchester City mauled League One Club, Exeter City, by ten (10) goals to one (1) in the FA Cup Third Round match on Saturday 10 January, 2026 at Etihad Stadium.
The result means Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens have progressed to the FA Cup 2025/26 fourth round.
Former AFC Bournemouth forward, Semenyo, was immediately fielded in the starting eleven (11) after sealing his £65m move from The Cherries on Friday 9 January, 2026.
On his debut, the Ghana National Team player, scored one goal and recorded an assist.
Guardiola’s side blended Academy players with first team men as they went ahead to prove too organized and strong for the Exeter City team, which is two tiers below.
Max Alleyne, Rodri, Jake Doyle-Hayes and Jack Fitzwater scored for Manchester City in the 12th, 24th, 52nd (own goal) minutes and 2nd minute of first half additional time (own goal) respectively.
Rico Lewis, Semenyo, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico O’Reilly added more in the 49th, 54th, 71st and 79th minutes respectively, to make it 8-0 for City.
Ryan McAidoo’s strike made it nine (9) in the 85th minute before Exeter City netted their consolation in the 90th minute through 19-year old George Birch
But, there was still time for Lewis to smash in the 10th for Manchester City, very late, in the 1st minute of additional time to make it ten (10).
Semenyo’s signing to the Etihad Stadium adds a different layer to Manchester City’s attack and he displayed the versatility that he will bring in to the frontline by starting on the left.
In the first half, the Ghanaian’s presence was low, but, came high in the second half as he recorded a goal and an assist.
Aidoo, a winger, was also handed his debut on Saturday, but, on the opposite side of Semenyo, however, impressed as he found the back of the net for City.
Manchester City now have sixteen (16) back-to-back home wins in this competition.
On Semenyo, Manager Guardiola said, prior to the match in his pre-Exeter City presser on the Club’s X account: “Yeah. He [Antoine Semenyo] will be selected [against Exeter]. I don’t know if he’ll start but he’ll be selected.”
The Spaniard described Semonyo as “unbelievable”, saying, he was “extraordinary” at his immediate erstwhile Club, AFC Bournemouth.
Giardiola said: “Everybody knows his qualities. He was extraordinary at Bournemouth and can play both sides. He uses both feet unbelievably. He can play as a striker too, with his pace. He knows the Premier League.
“Many clubs wanted him but he decided to join us. All I can say is thank you to him and we’re pleased for the next years.”
Photo: Antoine Semenyo gives a thumb-up after scoring for Manchester City in the FA Cup third round match against Exeter City at Etihad | Getty Images
