Manchester City showed no mercy as they swept aside Exeter City of League One with a staggering 10–1 victory to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The rout at the Etihad Stadium saw City equal the biggest win in the club’s history.

One of the standout performers on the night was Antoine Semenyo, who marked his debut for Man City with a goal and an assist following his £65 million move from Bournemouth.

Pep Guardiola watched proceedings from the stands as he served a touchline ban, but the starting XI he selected proved far too strong for opponents playing two divisions below the reigning Premier League champions.

There was, however, a moment to savour for Exeter. In the 90th minute, 19-year-old George Birch found the net for the visitors — a goal of historical significance in its own right. As for City, the result matched their famous 10–1 demolition of Huddersfield back in 1987.

2025-26, England - FA Cup

Manchester City - Exeter City 10:1 (4:0)
Goals: Alleyne, 12 (1:0); Rodri, 24 (2:0); Doyle-Hayes, 42 (own goal) (3:0); Fitzwater, 45 (own goal) (4:0); Lewis R., 49 (5:0); Semenyo, 54 (6:0); Reijnders, 71 (7:0); O'Reilly, 79 (8:0); McAidoo, 86 (9:0); Birch, 90 (9:1); Lewis R., 91 (10:1)

Manchester City: Trafford; Ake (Mfuni, 46); Khusanov; Alleyne (Bernardo Silva, 64); Lewis R.; Reijnders; Rodri (O'Reilly, 46); Cherki; McAidoo; Håland E. (Mukasa, 46); Semenyo (Doku J., 64)
Substitution: Mfuni (from 46); O'Reilly (from 46); Mukasa (from 46); Bernardo Silva (from 64); Doku J. (from 64)
Bench: Donnarumma G.; Nico González; Matheus Nunes; Foden

Exeter City: Whitworth; Turns; Fitzwater; Woodhouse; Brierley (Francis, 82); Cole R. (Higgins A., 59); Doyle-Hayes; Oakes (Birch, 82); Niskanen; Wareham (Magennis, 46); Aitchison (Mendes Gomes, 59)
Substitution: Magennis (from 46); Mendes Gomes (from 59); Higgins A. (from 59); Francis (from 82); Birch (from 82)
Bench: McMillan Jack
Yellow Cards: Woodhouse 81