Manchester City delivered a sensational and ruthless performance to annihilate League One outfit Exeter City 10-1, securing their place in the FA Cup fourth round and matching the club’s record for the biggest winning margin in its history.
The highlight of the match came on his Manchester City debut as Antoine Semenyo, who joined the club from Bournemouth for a reported £65m, made an instant impact by scoring a goal and providing an assist. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the fixture against opponents two divisions below them at the Etihad Stadium, showcasing both attacking flair and defensive solidity.
City take control before the break
Despite an early scare when Exeter goalkeeper Liam Oakes forced a sharp save from James Trafford within the first five minutes, Manchester City quickly settled into their rhythm and took control of the game.
Academy defender Max Alleyne opened the scoring in the 12th minute, calmly poking home his first senior goal for the club after good build-up play from the City midfield.
Rodri doubled the lead with a powerful long-range strike, showcasing his composure and technique. Exeter’s resistance crumbled further as two own goals compounded their woes — captain Jake Doyle-Hayes and defender Jack Fitzwater both inadvertently turned the ball into their own net. By halftime, City held a commanding 4-0 lead, with the game firmly under their control.
Semenyo shines in second-half rout
The second half turned into a complete rout as Manchester City added six more goals, leaving Exeter unable to mount any significant challenge. Rico Lewis opened the scoring for City in the second half with a precise finish from a well-timed Semenyo cross.
Semenyo then showcased his composure and finishing ability by scoring himself, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper after being perfectly played through by his teammates. The Ghanaian international’s confident display highlighted why City invested heavily in him this January transfer window.
Tijjani Reijnders contributed a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the box, while Nico O’Reilly added a towering header to further extend City’s advantage. Debutant Ryan McAidoo added another goal with a composed low finish, impressing onlookers with his calmness in front of goal. Lewis completed his brace late in the game, taking City’s tally to double figures and capping a dominant performance.
Exeter teenager George Birch managed to score a late consolation for the visitors, providing some relief for the traveling fans. However, it did little to temper the humiliation for the League One side, who were overwhelmed by the Premier League champions’ firepower and depth.
Record win and momentum boost
The 10-1 victory equalled Manchester City’s historic win over Huddersfield Town in 1987, underlining the team’s attacking prowess. It also extended City’s remarkable home FA Cup winning streak to 16 consecutive matches, maintaining their strong tradition in the competition.
For Pep Guardiola’s side, the result provided a significant morale boost after recent frustrations in the Premier League, offering fans a reminder of the team’s offensive capabilities and depth of talent across the squad.
Meanwhile, the result was a harsh lesson for Exeter, continuing their struggles against top-flight opposition. The defeat marked their 11th consecutive FA Cup loss to Premier League sides, highlighting the challenge lower-league teams face when matched against elite opponents.