Antoine Semenyo shines in Manchester City’s record FA Cup victory
Antoine Semenyo made an impressive debut for Manchester City, scoring one goal and providing two assists in a resounding 10-1 victory over Exeter City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, reports BritPanorama.
The £62.5 million signing from Bournemouth was thrust into Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup, quickly showcasing his impact. Semenyo set up Rico Lewis for City’s fifth goal before adding the sixth himself just nine minutes into the second half, displaying composure under pressure.
His earlier assist came from a deft setup for Rodri, who scored with a stunning long-range effort. This marked Rodri’s first goal since May 2024, following a lengthy injury absence, adding emotional weight to his strike and the match overall.
City’s domination was punctuated by two own goals from Exeter, which contributed to a growing sense of inevitability for the League One side. Both own goals occurred in rapid succession, with Jack Fitzwater and Jake Doyle-Hayes accidentally turning crosses into their own net. This unfortunate turn of events effectively extinguished any hopes of an upset for Exeter, who conceded further in an impressive display by City.
The second half saw City continue to pull away, with Lewis scoring shortly after the break by converting another Semenyo assist. Semenyo then capitalized on a long ball, finishing clinically past Exeter’s goalkeeper, Joe Whitworth. Reijnders also added to the tally, curling an effort into the net from the edge of the box with under twenty minutes remaining.
Substitute Nico O’Reilly increased the scoreline with a header from a Lewis cross, followed by a late goal from 17-year-old Ryan McAidoo, marking a memorable debut for the youngster. This substantial win represents Manchester City’s largest margin of victory in the FA Cup since a similar 10-1 scoreline against Huddersfield Town in 1987.
Guardiola, suspended for this match, saw his team deliver a powerful message about their ambitions this season. The players maintained high intensity throughout, signaled by their quick adaptation and execution of game strategies.
As football fans, we are reminded that in moments of sheer dominance, narratives can shift dramatically — the heroes that enshrine glory can quickly morph into cautionary tales for those grappling with the fallout.
