Antoine Semenyo scored on his Manchester City debut as the Ghanaian striker’s new side defeated Exeter City 10-1 in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Semenyo scored in the second half of City’s brutal display at the Etihad Stadium and injury-ravaged midfielder Rodri also scored for the first time since May 2024.
Semenyo joined City from Bournemouth on Friday in a £65 million ($87 million) transfer and wasted no time in making an impact for Pep Guardiola’s team.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham were among the other clubs interested in Semenyo, who had a buyout clause that was reportedly set to expire on Saturday.
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Teenage defender Max Alleyne started the rout, urging from close range for his first City goal in the 12th minute.
Rodri finally got back on the scoresheet in the 24th minute, scoring from distance after Semenyo’s shot was blocked.
Own goals from Exeter duo Jake Doyle-Hayes and Jack Fitzwater in the 42nd and 45th minutes put the result beyond doubt.
But City continued to press and Rico Lewis struck home from Semenyo’s pass in the 49th minute.
Semenyo’s debut goal came five minutes later with a clinical finish.
Tijjani Reijnders curled in a seventh from the edge of the penalty area in the 71st minute and Nico O’Reilly added the eighth with a fine header from a Lewis cross.
Ryan McAidoo, 17, struck the ninth from just outside the penalty area in the 86th minute before George Birch fired into the top corner to give Exeter at least one moment to savour.
City weren’t done yet and Lewis powered home in stoppage time to make it a perfect 10.
It was City’s biggest win since beating Huddersfield Town by the same score in 1987.
It also defeated Burton Albion by nine goals in a 9-0 win in 2019.
Guardiola may not have been on the sidelines while serving a one-match suspension, but it was clear from the team sheet that he meant business.
The City boss made six changes but still had a strong squad, including Erling Haaland.
He was rewarded with City’s first win in four games in all competitions after three consecutive draws in the Premier League left City six points behind leaders Arsenal.
Published on January 10, 2026
