Manchester City score 10 in FA cup thrashing with largest win for 38 years as new signing scores on debut

Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 10/01/2026

- 17:46

This emphatic victory represented City's largest winning margin since they defeated Huddersfield Town by an identical 10-1 scoreline back in 1987

Antoine Semenyo enjoyed a sensational introduction to life at Manchester City, finding the net and providing two assists barely a day after completing his £62.5million switch from Bournemouth.

The Ghana international winger was thrust straight into Pep Guardiola's starting eleven for Saturday's FA Cup third-round clash against Exeter City, where the Premier League giants ran riot with a remarkable 10-1 demolition of their League One opponents.


Semenyo's rapid impact at the Etihad Stadium saw him tee up Rico Lewis for City's fifth goal before adding the sixth himself with a calm finish in the 54th minute.

The forward had earlier set up Rodri's thunderous long-range effort.

Rodri's contribution proved particularly poignant, as the Spanish midfielder hammered home a 25-yard thunderbolt in the 24th minute following a blocked Semenyo effort.

The goal represented his first strike since May 2024, marking a crucial landmark in his ongoing rehabilitation from a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

City's dominance intensified further before the interval as Exeter suffered the misfortune of two own goals in quick succession.

Confusion surrounded both incidents, with defenders Jack Fitzwater and Jake Doyle-Hayes in close proximity on each occasion as crosses were turned into their own net.

Antoine Semenyo

Antoine Semenyo enjoyed a sensational introduction to life at Manchester City

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The second own goal came from a Tijjani Reijnders delivery, effectively ending any prospect of an upset.

The second period became a procession of goals for the hosts.

Lewis opened the scoring after the break by volleying home from Semenyo's delivery, before the new signing raced onto a long ball and slotted past goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.

Reijnders extended the advantage further when he curled an effort from the edge of the box with twenty minutes remaining.

Manchester City

Manchester City were dominant all game

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Substitute Nico O'Reilly then headed in from a Lewis cross.

Ryan McAidoo, 17, capped his maiden City appearance by firing home from just outside the penalty area.

The teenager had only made his first-team bow in Wednesday's Premier League draw against Brighton and Hove Albion.

This emphatic victory represented City's largest winning margin since they defeated Huddersfield Town by an identical 10-1 scoreline back in 1987, with their 9-0 demolition of Burton in 2019 the only comparable result in recent decades.

\u200bRodri

Rodri hammered home a 25-yard thunderbolt in the 24th minute following a blocked Semenyo effort

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Guardiola was absent from the touchline due to a one-match suspension.

His team selection demonstrated clear intent with Erling Haaland among the starters alongside Rodri and the newly-acquired Semenyo.

Youngster Alleyne had opened the scoring on 12 minutes after Exeter failed to clear their lines, netting his first senior goal having started the month on loan at Watford.

George Birch provided the visitors with a moment to cherish, rattling a superb strike into the top corner for a late consolation.