London: Manchester City delivered a historic 10-1 demolition of Exeter City in the FA Cup third round, with new signing Antoine Semenyo making an immediate impact by scoring and providing an assist on his debut.

The emphatic victory at the Etihad Stadium underlined City’s attacking dominance and marked a landmark night in English football, as the Premier League champions became the first top-flight club in nearly four decades to score 10 goals in a single match.

The result also carried major FA Cup significance. City became the first team to hit double figures in an FA Cup tie since Tottenham’s 13-2 win over Crewe in 1960. For Exeter, the defeat represented the heaviest loss in club history and the first time the League One side had conceded 10 goals in a Football League fixture.

Semenyo makes immediate impact

Antoine Semenyo’s debut performance drew widespread attention following his £65 million transfer from Bournemouth, completed less than 48 hours before kick-off. The Ghanaian forward, who scored a stoppage-time winner for Bournemouth against Tottenham in his final appearance for the club, wasted no time settling at Manchester City by contributing directly to two goals in his first outing.

His goal-and-assist debut placed him in exclusive company, becoming the first City player to achieve that feat in all competitions since Sergio Aguero in 2011. Semenyo’s arrival, after City beat competition from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham for his signature, further strengthens an already formidable attacking unit.

The 24-year-old has now recorded 11 goals and four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this season, reinforcing why Manchester City’s recruitment team pursued him over a long period.

Historic night for Manchester City

The Manchester City 10-1 Exeter result was not only a statement of superiority but also a statistical milestone. It was the first time since Liverpool’s 10-0 victory over Fulham in the 1986 EFL Cup that an English top-flight club scored 10 goals in a single match. The scale of the win reaffirmed City’s status as FA Cup holders and early favourites to defend the trophy.

Why Pep Guardiola was missing from the touchline

Pep Guardiola was absent from the touchline for the FA Cup tie after serving a one-match ban, leaving assistant coach Pep Lijnders in charge of matchday duties. Despite the manager’s absence, City showed no signs of disruption, maintaining their attacking rhythm and tactical structure throughout the contest.