Antoine Semenyo could not have scripted a more emphatic start to his Manchester City career. Making his competitive debut just days after completing a high-profile move, the Ghana international delivered a standout performance as City swept aside Exeter City 10–1 in the FA Cup, instantly writing his name into club history alongside an iconic Argentine figure.
Dream debut after big-money switch
Semenyo was officially unveiled as a City player on Friday following an agreement with Bournemouth worth an initial £62.5 million.
The winger committed his future to the club until 2031 and opted to wear the No. 42 shirt, a number previously associated with Yaya Touré during his trophy-laden spell at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite featuring for Bournemouth earlier in the week, Antoine Semenyo was immediately trusted with a starting role on the left wing.
Pep Guardiola wasted no time integrating the 26-year-old into Manchester City’s system, and the decision paid dividends in ruthless fashion.
Goal and assist put Antoine Semenyo in elite company
Semenyo made his first decisive impact in the 49th minute, providing the assist for Rico Lewis as City’s dominance continued to grow.
Just five minutes later, he added a goal of his own, racing onto a long pass before calmly finishing past Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.
That combination of a goal and an assist ensured Semenyo became the first Manchester City player to achieve both feats on a competitive debut since Sergio Agüero did so against Swansea in August 2011.
The milestone firmly underlined the significance of his opening night in sky blue.
Complete performance across the pitch
Beyond his direct contributions, Antoine Semenyo’s overall performance stood out. He completed 38 of his 41 passes, registering a 93 percent success rate, and created four chances—more than any other player on the pitch.
He recorded 50 touches, four touches inside the opposition box, and took two shots during his 64 minutes on the field.
His work rate extended to the defensive side as well, with one interception, three recoveries, and a ground duel won, reflecting the all-action profile City targeted during the January window.
Early signs of a title-race influencer
Semenyo was replaced by Jeremy Doku to a standing ovation and later collected the Man of the Match award. While Exeter currently sit 14th in League One, the performance still highlighted why Manchester City invested heavily in the winger.
With 11 goals and four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this season, Antoine Semenyo adds depth, pace, and physicality to an attack already spearheaded by Erling Haaland.