Manchester City Dominates Exeter City in FA Cup Clash
Antoine Semenyo made an impressive debut as Manchester City overwhelmed Exeter City, securing a staggering 10-0 victory to match the club's largest win and advance to the FA Cup fourth round.
Semenyo, who recently completed a £65 million transfer from Bournemouth, was immediately included in the starting lineup. He made a significant impact by contributing a goal and an assist in the second half.
Head coach Pep Guardiola, serving a one-match touchline ban due to three yellow cards this season, selected a formidable starting eleven that proved too strong for their opponents, who compete two tiers lower.
City opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a goal from academy product Max Alleyne, who skillfully poked the ball over the line with his left foot.
Just 12 minutes later, Rodri, the team captain, struck a powerful 30-yard shot to double the lead. The first half saw Exeter's Jake Doyle-Hayes and Jack Fitzwater inadvertently score own goals, further compounding their woes.
Exeter, backed by a crowd of 7,800, almost took an early lead, but Liam Oakes' header was expertly saved by City goalkeeper James Trafford.
The second half saw City add six more goals to their tally, starting with Rico Lewis, who scored from a Semenyo cross. Semenyo then added a beautiful finish after a well-timed through ball. Additional goals from Tijjani Reijnders, Nico O'Reilly, and Ryan McAidoo sealed the resounding victory, with the draw for the next round scheduled for Monday.
Exeter's George Birch, 19, managed to score a consolation goal late in the match, but Lewis quickly responded, scoring the tenth goal for City.
This victory equals the club's previous record of 10-1 against Huddersfield Town in November 1987, with a strikingly similar scoring pattern: City led 4-0 at halftime, reached 9-0, and allowed a late goal from the visitors, finishing with a double-digit score.
Analysis: Semenyo Shines on His Debut
This match marked the first encounter between the two teams, with City seeking a morale-boosting win after a dip in form in the Premier League. They achieved just that with a memorable scoreline.
Semenyo's addition brings a new dynamic to City's attack; although he had a quiet first half, he came alive in the second, contributing significantly to the team's performance.
Despite a brief scare from Oakes, City dominated the match, with Alleyne scoring his first goal in only his second appearance and Rodri delivering a stunning long-range strike that eased any tension.
Exeter struggled defensively, with captain Doyle-Hayes and Fitzwater each scoring own goals under pressure. Winger Ryan McAidoo, who also made his debut, showcased his talent with impressive runs and capped off his performance with a well-taken goal.
With Lewis scoring twice and Reijnders adding a beautiful finish, City extended their remarkable run to 16 consecutive home victories in this competition, a streak that has lasted a decade.
Exeter manager Gary Caldwell, who was part of the Wigan Athletic team that upset City in the 2013 FA Cup final, may have hoped for a similar story had Oakes converted that early chance. Birch's late goal provided a moment of joy for the visitors, but they faced a thorough defeat, marking their 11th consecutive loss in FA Cup ties against top-flight teams.