Image source: bbc.com
Antoine Semenyo marked his Manchester City debut with a goal and assist as the club equalled their biggest ever victory with a 10-1 FA Cup third-round demolition of League One side Exeter City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Semenyo Shines on Debut as Manchester City Equal Club Record With 10-1 FA Cup Victory
The 26-year-old forward, who completed a £65 million transfer from Bournemouth on Friday, became the first player to both score and assist a goal on his City debut since Sergio Aguero against Swansea in August 2011. Semenyo was named man of the match in a contest where City racked up double figures for the first time under Pep Guardiola and matched their biggest victory in club history, a 10-1 Second Division thrashing of Huddersfield in 1987.
City’s emphatic victory also represented the biggest FA Cup win from a top-flight side since Tottenham Hotspur beat Crewe 13-2 in a fourth-round replay in 1960. With manager Guardiola serving a one-game touchline ban for receiving three yellow cards, assistant Pep Lijnders stood in for duties during the game and praised Semenyo’s immediate impact on the team’s attacking play.
Semenyo provided a delightful cross from the left flank that Rico Lewis finished for City’s fifth goal before showing class and composure to make it 6-0 with a clinical finish under Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. The Ghanaian international had scored 10 Premier League goals this season for Bournemouth before his move and continued his scoring form by running onto Rayan Cherki’s pass to open his City account.
Lijnders described Semenyo as “a humble guy” who brings exactly what City need to their frontline, highlighting his ability to attack quickly and adapt to their playing style. The victory extended City’s unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions as they continue fighting on multiple fronts, with their next fixture being the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Newcastle on Tuesday.
City became the first top-flight side to score 10 or more goals in any English competition since Liverpool beat Fulham 10-0 in the League Cup in September 1986. Despite George Birch pulling back a stunning consolation goal for Exeter, Lewis completed the scoring to secure the historic result, with the victory moving City into the FA Cup fourth round as they pursue silverware across four competitions this season.
