A stunning debut performance from Antoine Semenyo saw Manchester City cruise into the FA Cup fourth round with a ruthless 10-1 victory over Exeter City. Semenyo, fresh from his £65m move 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.
But here's where it gets controversial... Pep Guardiola, serving a one-game touchline ban, watched from the stands as his strong starting 11 dominated a League One side. Max Alleyne, a product of City's academy, opened the scoring with a clever finish, and from there, it was a one-way traffic.
Rodri, the captain for the day, added a thunderous 30-yard strike, and Exeter's hopes were further dashed by two own goals before the break. Exeter, with a passionate 7,800-strong support, could have taken an early lead, but James Trafford's reflex save kept them at bay.
And this is the part most people miss... City's dominance continued in the second half, with six more goals. Rico Lewis and Semenyo added to the scoreline, and Tijjani Reijnders, Nico O'Reilly, and Ryan McAidoo ensured City's progression. Exeter's George Birch, just 19, grabbed a late consolation, but City had the last laugh with Lewis' 10th goal.
So, what do you think? Is City's dominance a sign of their strength, or is it a reflection of the gap between the Premier League and lower divisions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
