Semenyo's Impressive Debut Paints a 10-1 Man City Victory
JAKARTA - Manchester City smoothly stepped into the next round of the 2025/26 FA Cup after massacring third division team Exeter City with a landslide score of 10-1 in a match at the Etihad Stadium, Saturday, January 10.
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola fielded a number of reserve players, but the home team's dominance remained unstoppable.
The Citizens' new player, Antoine Semenyo, impressed with a goal and an assist in the goal fest, according to the official FA website.
City already had a four-goal lead in the first half. The opening goal came in the 12th minute through Max Alleyne. Starting from Erling Haaland's header who greeted a cross from the right side, the ball was passed by Alleyne with a left foot shot that successfully penetrated the Exeter goal.
The advantage increased in the 24th minute. Semenyo's individual action in front of the penalty box ended with a shot that was blocked, before Rodri snatched the rebound with a hard shot from long range that led to the top corner of the goal. The score changed 2-0.
Towards the break, Exeter City scored twice from a self-goal. Jake Doyle-Hayes misjudged a corner and headed the ball into his own net in the 42nd minute.
Not long after, Jack Fitzwater also scored an own goal after failing to clear Tijjani Reijnders' cross. The first half ended with a 4-0 lead for City.
Entering the second half, the Citizens' dominance became even more pronounced. Rico Lewis scored the fifth goal at the start of the second half through a close-range shot taking advantage of Semenyo's cross.
Semenyo then recorded his name on the scoreboard in the 54th minute after finishing Rayan Cherki's breakthrough pass, bringing Man City ahead 6-0.
The seventh goal was born from a curved kick by Tijjani Reijnders who took advantage of Jeremy Doku's pull pass from the left.
Nico O’Reilly added to Exeter’s misery with the eighth goal in the 79th minute via a header that hit the post before going into the net.
Ryan McAidoo then scored the ninth goal for the hosts after firing hard from the edge of the penalty box.
Exeter City managed to steal one consolation goal in the 90th minute through a kick from George Birch which defeated James Trafford.
However, City immediately responded in injury time. Rico Lewis scored his second goal in this match to close the 10-1 landslide victory for the Citizens.
Manchester City: James Trafford; Rico Lewis, Khusanov, Max Alleyne, Nathan Aké (Mfuni 46'); Rodri (O'Reilly 46'), Antoine Semenyo (Doku 64'), Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Ryan McAidoo; Erling Haaland (Mukasa 46')
Exeter City: Joe Withworth; Ed Turns, Jack Fitzwater, Woodhouse, Oakes; Bierley, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ilmari Niskanen; Cole (Higgins 59'), Aitchison (Mendes 59'), Wareham (Magennis 46').