Manchester City tore apart League One opposition Exeter City with a 10-goal avalanche to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round, equalling the heaviest win in the club’s history in the process.
Dream introduction for new signing
Antoine Semenyo enjoyed a perfect first outing in City colours after being handed an immediate start following his £65m transfer from Bournemouth. The forward made an instant impression after the interval, contributing a goal and setting up another as the hosts ran riot.
Pep Guardiola, watching from the stands while serving a one-match sideline suspension after accumulating three yellow cards this season, named a powerful lineup that proved far too strong for opponents sitting two divisions lower.
First-half damage decides the tie
City’s academy graduate Max Alleyne opened the floodgates in the 12th minute, stretching to guide the ball just over the line and spark what became a one-sided affair. Twelve minutes later, captain Rodri unleashed a fierce long-range strike that effectively ended any hope of a contest.
Exeter’s misery deepened before the interval as Jake Doyle-Hayes and Jack Fitzwater both turned the ball into their own net, sending City into the break with a commanding four-goal advantage.
Despite the scoreline, the visitors had briefly threatened an upset early on, only for James Trafford to produce a sharp reaction save to deny Liam Oakes’ close-range header in front of a noisy 7,800-strong away support.
Second-half rout and historic milestone
The second period brought no respite. Rico Lewis finished from a Semenyo delivery before the debutant calmly slotted home himself after being played through. Further goals followed from Tijjani Reijnders, whose curling effort found the net, Nico O’Reilly with a header, and Ryan McAidoo with a driven finish.
Teenager George Birch gave Exeter a moment to savour late on with a powerful consolation strike, but City had the final word as Lewis struck again to complete the scoring and reach double figures.
The result mirrored a 10-1 league victory over Huddersfield Town in November 1987, matching not only the margin but also the pattern: a 4-0 lead at half-time, nine unanswered goals, a late reply from the visitors, and a final home strike to seal a landmark win. The draw for the next round will be made on Monday.
