Antoine Semenyo needed just one night in sky blue to make his mark. On Saturday at the Etihad Stadium, the 26-year-old Ghanaian winger scored and assisted on his Manchester City debut as Pep Guardiola’s side crushed League One Exeter City 10–1 in the FA Cup third round. It was a club-record-equalling margin in this competition and a clear message that City’s push for another deep Cup run is on track.

City led 4–0 at the break and never eased up, moving into the fourth round in style. The FA noted the win matched Manchester City’s biggest ever margin of victory in an FA Cup tie. Exeter arrived unbeaten in three and 14th in League One, but they were swamped by City’s pace, movement, and hunger.

Semenyo’s dream debut: goal and assist

Semenyo was announced as a new signing from Bournemouth the day before the game and slotted in right away. Reports differ on the fee, with ESPN listing £64 million and Detik noting £62.5 million, but the impact was beyond debate. He set up City’s fifth goal with what The FA called a “delicious cross” for Rico Lewis just after half-time, then scored himself with a “composed finish” on 54 minutes.

It was as clean a debut as you will see: early touches to settle in, a driven assist, and a sharp first City goal to open his account. The crowd loved it, and so did his teammates, who kept feeding him the ball and space.

“£60m well spent if he plays like that — direct, hungry, ruthless.”

Minute-by-minute: Man City 10–1 Exeter City

City scored in waves. The first half was steady control; the second half was a flood.

• 12’ — Max Alleyne made it 1–0 with a close-range finish from a corner.
• 24’ — Rodri drilled a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left for 2–0.
• 42’ — Own goal by Jake Doyle-Hayes (3–0).
• 45+2’ — Own goal by Jack Fitzwater in first-half stoppage time (4–0).
• 49’ — Rico Lewis made it 5–0, finishing Semenyo’s cross.
• 54’ — Antoine Semenyo scored his debut goal for 6–0.
• 71’ — Tijjani Reijnders fired low for 7–0.
• 79’ — Nico O’Reilly looped in a header for 8–0.
• 86’ — Ryan McAidoo, 17, scored his first career goal for 9–0.
• 90’ — George Birch pulled one back for Exeter with a long-range strike past James Trafford (9–1).
• 90+’ — Rico Lewis added his second from a Jeremy Doku assist for 10–1.

Exeter’s late consolation came from distance via Birch, a fierce hit that Trafford could not keep out. But even that sting could not blunt a day when almost everything City tried came off.

Youth and depth power the rout

Guardiola’s rotation did more than rest legs — it showcased what is next. Alleyne opened the scoring from a set piece. O’Reilly scored a clever looping header. Reijnders found a clean, low finish from the edge. And McAidoo, on debut at just 17, got the loudest cheer of the day with his first senior goal on 86 minutes.

There was also the spark of the wings. Semenyo on one side and Doku off the bench made Exeter’s full-backs turn again and again. Lewis, who finished with two goals, profited from those wide runs and the constant pressure inside the box.

“This wasn’t just a win; it was proof the academy boys belong.”

A statement in the FA Cup

City have begun what The FA described as a bid to reach a record fourth successive FA Cup final. That is a tough path in any season, but a 10–1 start sends a loud signal. Matching the club’s biggest FA Cup winning margin underlines the standards, no matter the opponent or round.

It helps that the new signing has hit the ground running. Semenyo’s debut checked every box: confidence, end product, and chemistry. The fee will be debated — sources differ — but nights like this make the discussion feel simple. He looks like a natural fit in Guardiola’s attack.

“Semenyo + Doku on the wings? That’s Guardiola’s new chaos combo.”

Exeter’s effort and the wider picture

Exeter came in unbeaten in three and tried to play, but the gap in speed and sharpness was clear. Two own goals before half-time put them in a deep hole that was never going to be climbed. Even so, Birch’s late strike gave the traveling fans a moment to cheer.

For City, the lesson was simple: stay ruthless and keep the ball moving. For Exeter, the focus returns to League One, where that recent unbeaten run shows they have form to build on.

Elsewhere in the FA Cup third round

There was drama all over the draw. The FA’s wrap highlighted one of the great Cup shocks: Macclesfield 2–1 Crystal Palace, a result quickly labelled among the biggest FA Cup upsets. Sunderland also knocked out Everton on penalties after a 1–1 draw, with keeper Robin Roefs saving all three Everton spot-kicks.

Other notable scores included: Wolves 6–1 Shrewsbury, Boreham Wood 0–5 Burton, Burnley 5–1 Millwall, Doncaster 2–3 Southampton, and Fulham 3–1 Middlesbrough. It was a round heavy on goals and storylines — and City’s 10–1 was the biggest roar of them all.

What’s next

Manchester City cruise into the fourth round, their goals flowing and their new signing settled. The draw will tell us the next step, but the message is already out there: this team is hungry to be back at Wembley again — and Semenyo is already part of the plan.

For a debut, it could hardly have gone better. A clever assist, a cool finish, and a scoreline to remember. If this is the start, City fans will be excited to see what comes next.