Antoine Semenyo Makes Immediate Impact at Manchester City with FA cup Masterclass
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manchester City’s newest acquisition, Antoine Semenyo, has quickly endeared himself to teammates and coaches alike, delivering a standout performance in his debut appearance for the club. the Ghanaian international scored one goal and provided an assist in City’s dominant 10-1 victory over Exeter City in the third round of the FA Cup, prompting praise for a “seamless transition”
Rico Lewis for City’s fifth goal, and he followed up shortly after with a composed finish to add the sixth.
The notable debut caps a whirlwind week for the 26-year-old winger, who featured for Bournemouth just 48 hours before undergoing his medical with City.He departed the cherries on a high note,securing a last-minute,long-range winner against Tottenham Hotspur in a 3-2 thriller. Semenyo further demonstrated his class by taking out a double-page spread in a local newspaper to express his gratitude to the Bournemouth supporters.
Teammates and Coaches Laud Semenyo’s Seamless Integration
rico Lewis was effusive in his praise, stating, “It’s not a surprise for us because everyone has seen how good of a player he is in the Premier league. Everybody wanted him, there’s a reason for that and he’s shown that today.It feels like a seamless transition into the team.” He also highlighted Semenyo’s positive character, adding, “He’s a really good person as well which is another positive.”
With Pep Guardiola sidelined due to a one-game touchline ban, assistant coach Pep Lijnders took the reins for the post-match press conference. Lijnders echoed the sentiments of Lewis,noting,”I think a lot of good performances today… a lot of good individual performances. But Antoine is settling well. He is a humble guy and we have followed him for a long time, but he brings something to the frontline – what we really want and what we need.”
Lijnders further elaborated on Semenyo’s attributes, stating, “He can attack quick, he wants to chase, he is a guy who doesn’t stop. I think you see today that he can adapt quite quickly to our style. It’s nice to have him with us.”
Semenyo Adds Firepower to City’s Already Formidable Attack
The addition of Semenyo, who has already registered 10 goals and three assists in the Premier League in the 2025/26 season, bolsters an already impressive attacking lineup featuring stars like Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, and Jeremy Doku. this influx of talent is expected to send a clear message to City’s rivals.
Despite their attacking prowess,City has experienced a recent dip in league form,with three consecutive draws leaving them six points behind Arsenal at the top of the table. Though, Lijnders remains optimistic, asserting that the team possesses the creativity and experience to mount a successful title challenge. “The last three games we wanted more, of course,” he said. “We created the chances to score more goals and to win the game. But I think we have a really special group.The amount of experienced players who take lead of the team,the way they guide all the others,the way new players are settling in and the energy… it’s special,and we are on our way.”
What’s Next for the new City Winger?
Semenyo’s £62.5 million move to the Etihad promises the allure of European competition, high-profile fixtures, and opportunities for silverware. He will have a chance to experience this instantly, with City preparing for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United on Tuesday. That match is quickly followed by the highly anticipated Manchester Derby and a Champions League trip to Bodo/Glimt.
