Semenyo Impresses in Debut as Manchester City Dominates Exeter City

MANCHESTER — Antoine Semenyo has brought a valuable addition to Manchester City, as noted by assistant coach Pep Lijnders, following the winger’s impressive debut where he scored in a commanding 10-1 victory against Exeter City.

City equaled their largest win in recent history on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium, demonstrating their prowess against the League One opponents. Semenyo, who recently joined from Bournemouth for £64 million ($85.8 million), made an immediate impact with a goal and an assist in his first appearance.

Lijnders, who stepped in for the suspended Pep Guardiola, remarked, “I think we saw many strong individual performances today. When the team plays cohesively, it makes it easier for individuals to shine. Antoine is integrating well; he is a humble player whom we have monitored for a long time. He adds a much-needed dimension to our front line.

“He has the ability to attack rapidly and demonstrates relentless energy. Today, he showcased his adaptability to our playing style, and we are delighted to have him on board.”

This victory provided Manchester City with a much-needed boost after experiencing three consecutive draws, leaving them six points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Guardiola fielded a strong lineup against Exeter, featuring stars like Erling Haaland, Rodri, Rayan Cherki, and Nathan Aké. All three—Haaland, Rodri, and Aké—were substituted at halftime when the score stood at 4-0, as the focus shifted to their upcoming Carabao Cup semifinal against Newcastle.

Lijnders added, “From the outset, we demonstrated our intention with a high press and an aggressive approach, which reflects our respect for the opponent. Our performance was commendable, especially in regaining possession quickly. For the fans and everyone involved, the number of goals was significant, and we maintained our momentum even at 4-0 and 5-0. Overall, it was an excellent day for Manchester City.”