Manchester City’s new signing is already in the record books after FA Cup Third Round bow

After the disappointments Manchester City fans had to suffer in the 2024/25 campaign, as Pep Guardiola’s ambitions suffered a setback with a series of injuries to key players, in many ways the build-up to 2025/26 was one of change, rebirth and renewal. And Antoine Semenyo became the next piece in that new puzzle.

Fans were treated to a nice break from the Premier League and European calendar last weekend as supporters of all clubs up and down the country enjoyed the usual FA Cup third round spectacle of giant killings and upsets.

But an uber professional display from City’s first-team saw them come out as 10-1 victors over Exeter. It was a fairly changed side as many would expect, but 26-year-old Semenyo enjoyed a very good debut and began instantly repaying his reported £65 million transfer fee as he opened his account in the 54th minute, having earlier provided an assist for Rico Lewis.

Semenyo’s stock has been rising in the English top-flight following his arrival at Bournemouth from Bristol City, and the versatile attacker had already enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign, scoring 10 times and providing three assists in 20 games for his now-former club.

As fans tuned into varying broadcasters for his debut and watched via preferred streams providers and services, they would have been delighted with how the Ghanaian settled in and performed, and will be hoping to be similarly entertained at the next time of asking.

Although Antoine Semenyo understandably started slow in his career, he has peaked strongly and ultimately with such a bright start to life at the Etihad Stadium, and clearly big things are expected from him in future. He also arrives having gained huge respect in the wider football community for his conduct during the transfer saga – remaining polite, thankful, committed and professional, helping the Cherries to further points despite his pending exit.

Knowing his performance levels at Bournemouth, Antoine Semenyo’s Manchester City debut also more than showed how he will freshen up the club’s attack and give Pep Guardiola good alternative options at the top of the park.

His versatility will be of additional benefit for Guardiola moving forward and he will keep opposition defences guessing, as few will be surprised if the Catalan head coach makes the most of his ability to play on either flank and deliberately change his position.

For the statto’s, they will be even more delighted with Semenyo as against the League One side on Saturday afternoon, the forward became the first player to both score and assist on his Manchester City debut in all competitions since a certain Sergio Aguero – who achieved the same on his bow back in August, 2011 at home to Swansea City.

Whilst the score and Antoine Semenyo’s introduction have obviously dominated the City airwaves, fans will be tuning in later this evening to find out who the club get paired with for this year’s fourth round, and whether or not our transfer business is done for the month.