MANCHESTER — According to assistant coach Pep Lijnders, Antoine Semenyo has brought a much-needed element to Manchester City following his debut, where he scored in a resounding 10-1 victory over Exeter City.
Saturday’s match at the Etihad Stadium saw City equal their largest win of the modern era by overwhelming the League One side.
In his first outing after transferring from Bournemouth for £64 million ($85.8m), Semenyo contributed a goal and an assist, impressing Lijnders, who filled in for the suspended Pep Guardiola.
“There were many strong individual performances today,” Lijnders remarked. “When the team performs at that level, it makes things easier for individuals. Antoine is quickly settling in; he’s a humble guy, and we’ve been tracking him for quite some time. He adds a vital component to our front line that we truly need.”
“He can attack rapidly, he has a relentless spirit, and his desire to chase the game is evident. Today, it was clear that he can adapt swiftly to our style of play, and we’re thrilled to have him on board.”
This victory marks a welcome return to form for City, who had suffered three consecutive draws, leaving them six points behind Arsenal at the Premier League summit.
Guardiola fielded a strong lineup against Exeter, featuring players like Erling Haaland, Rodri, Rayan Cherki, and Nathan Aké.
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Haaland, Rodri, and Ake were substituted at the half with the scoreline at 4-0, as focus shifted towards Tuesday’s away match against Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal.
“From the very first minute, we showcased our high press and our determination to win the ball back quickly, which was commendable,” Lijnders added. “The fans will certainly appreciate the goals, but even at 4-0 and 5-0, we continued to push. Overall, it was a fantastic day for Man City.”