A stunning debut performance from Antoine Semenyo saw Manchester City dominate and progress to the FA Cup fourth round with a ruthless 10-1 victory over Exeter City. Semenyo, a new £65m signing from Bournemouth, wasted no time in making an impact, scoring and assisting in the second half to repay a portion of his hefty transfer fee.
Pep Guardiola, watching from the stands due to a one-game touchline ban, fielded a strong starting lineup that proved too much for the League One side. Max Alleyne, a product of City's academy, opened the scoring with a clever finish on 12 minutes, setting the tone for a dominant display.
The game was effectively sealed within the first half-hour as Rodri, captaining the side, unleashed a powerful 30-yard strike, and Exeter's own players, Doyle-Hayes and Fitzwater, added to their woes with unfortunate own goals. Exeter, despite the support of a passionate 7,800-strong crowd, came close to an early lead, but Trafford's quick reflexes denied Oakes' header.
The second half saw City's onslaught continue, with Rico Lewis and Semenyo both finding the net. Tijjani Reijnders, Nico O'Reilly, and Ryan McAidoo added further gloss to the scoreline with their own contributions. Exeter's 19-year-old George Birch ensured he would remember his trip to the Etihad with a late consolation goal, but City had the final say as Lewis completed the rout with a 10th goal.
This result highlights the vast disparity between Premier League and League One sides, but it also raises questions about the ethics of such one-sided affairs. Should the FA Cup format be adjusted to avoid these potential mismatches? Or is it a necessary part of the competition's allure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
