Ten goals, a near-record FA Cup scoreline, and a lower-league side left to wonder what might have been. If you missed Manchester City’s 10-1 demolition of Exeter City on January 10, 2026, you missed one of those afternoons that sticks in the memory.

4 related posts

Final score: Manchester City 10–1 Exeter City ·
Match date: 10 January 2026 ·
Competition: FA Cup third round ·
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester ·
Man of the match: Antoine Semenyo ·
Attendance: 50,705

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact Exeter City starting XI (not provided in confirmed sources)
  • Full broadcast details for TV/streaming outside the UK
  • Exact amount Exeter earned from the FA Cup tie
3Timeline signal
  • 10 Jan 2026: Match played
  • Pre-match: FA warned Exeter over revenue request
  • Post-match: Semenyo awarded MOTM
  • Jan 2026: Donnarumma joins City; Ederson departs
4What’s next
  • City’s FA Cup fourth-round draw
  • Exeter focus on League One survival
  • Donnarumma integration into City team

Six match facts, one pattern: a dominant home performance that rewrites the FA Cup record books.

Fact Details
Final score Manchester City 10–1 Exeter City
Date 10 January 2026
Venue Etihad Stadium
Man of the match Antoine Semenyo
Man City manager Pep Guardiola
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell

The table captures the essentials of a match defined by overwhelming disparity.

What were the starting lineups for Man City vs Exeter City?

Manchester City starting XI

  • Goalkeeper: James Trafford
  • Defenders: Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, M Alleyne, Nathan Ake
  • Midfielders: Rodri, T Reijnders, R McAidoo
  • Forwards: A Semenyo, N O’Reilly, J Doyle-Hayes (sub.)
  • Source: Sky Sports match centre

Exeter City starting XI

The full Exeter City lineup was not detailed in the confirmed match data. The club’s typical FA Cup squad includes a mix of regular starters and fringe players, but the exact XI for this fixture remains unconfirmed in the sources provided.

The implication: City’s rotated side still carries enough firepower to expose any deficit in lower-league squad depth.

Who scored for Man City against Exeter City?

Nine different Manchester City players found the net, with two own goals from Exeter’s defenders adding to the tally. The detailed goal timeline from Sky Sports goal timeline records:

  • M Alleyne (12′)
  • Rodri (24′)
  • J Doyle-Hayes own goal (42′)
  • J Fitzwater own goal (47′)
  • R Lewis (49′, 91′)
  • A Semenyo (54′)
  • T Reijnders (71′)
  • N O’Reilly (79′)
  • R McAidoo (86′)
  • G Birch (Exeter, 90′)

The implication: City’s depth is extraordinary — even a rotated side can produce a double-figure scoreline.

Who was the man of the match Man City vs Exeter City?

Antoine Semenyo was awarded man of the match for his goal and all-round performance. ESPN match report headlined his contribution, noting his speed and finishing.

How much did Exeter make from the Man City game?

The exact revenue Exeter City generated from the tie is not publicly listed, but FA Cup third-round prize money is £105,000 for the losing side, plus gate receipts from the away allocation. The Football Association reportedly warned Exeter over a request for additional revenue sharing from the match, though the details of that dispute remain unclear.

Why is Doku not playing and other selection news?

Why is Doku not playing?

Jeremy Doku missed the match through injury but was nearing a return. Pep Guardiola expressed delight at having both Savinho and Doku back in training, as reported by Manchester City official site.

Is Donnarumma joining Man City?

Gianluigi Donnarumma completed a transfer to Manchester City in January 2026, with Ederson moving to Fenerbahce in the same window. The deal was confirmed by BBC Sport.

Why was Guehi not sent off?

Marc Guehi’s yellow card incident against Liverpool sparked debate, but the FA confirmed no further action. The incident was covered by BBC Sport Guehi controversy.

Bottom line: City’s squad depth overwhelms lower-league opponents. For FA Cup purists, the margin raises questions about competitive balance. For Exeter, it tests both finances and morale.

Timeline

  • Pre-match: FA warns Exeter over plea for more revenue share from FA Cup tie (BBC Sport)
  • 10 Jan 2026, 15:00: Kick-off at Etihad Stadium
  • 10 Jan 2026: Match ends 10-1
  • Post-match: Antoine Semenyo awarded MOTM
  • January 2026: Donnarumma joins City; Ederson leaves for Fenerbahce

What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Score: Manchester City 10–1 Exeter City
  • Match date: 10 January 2026
  • Venue: Etihad Stadium, attendance 50,705
  • Man of the match: Antoine Semenyo
  • Man City goal scorers (see above)
  • Donnarumma signing announced
  • Doku and Savinho injury return

What’s unclear

  • Exact Exeter City starting lineup
  • Full broadcast details for international viewers
  • Exact revenue Exeter earned from the tie
  • Full details of FA revenue dispute

Key perspectives

“It’s great to have Savinho and Jeremy back. They give us options we missed.”

Pep Guardiola, via Manchester City official site

“The FA reminded Exeter that gate receipts are shared according to the existing competition rules.”

FA spokesperson, reported by BBC Sport

Why this matters

Exeter City face a financial catch-22: a record defeat brings short-term cash but long-term reputational risk. For smaller clubs in the FA Cup, the payout is existential.

For Exeter City, the immediate consequence is a £105,000 prize and a share of gate receipts, but the FA’s warning signals a deepening tension over how cup revenues are distributed. The choice for the FA is clear: update the revenue-sharing formula, or risk alienating the very clubs that make the competition special.

Additional sources

skysports.com, cityxtra.co.uk, onefootball.com, mancity.com

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Frequently asked questions

Who was the man of the match Man City vs Exeter City?

Antoine Semenyo was awarded man of the match for his goal and performance (ESPN).

What was the final score of Man City vs Exeter City?

Manchester City 10–1 Exeter City (Sky Sports).

Who scored for Manchester City in the 10-1 win?

Nine different scorers including Alleyne, Rodri, Lewis, Semenyo, and two Exeter own goals (Sky Sports goal timeline).

How much did Exeter City earn from the FA Cup match?

FA Cup third-round prize money is £105,000 for the losing side, plus a share of gate receipts. Exact total not disclosed.

Why did the FA warn Exeter City?

The FA reminded Exeter about the existing revenue-sharing rules after the club reportedly requested additional funds (BBC Sport).

Is Gianluigi Donnarumma joining Manchester City?

Yes, Donnarumma signed in January 2026 as Ederson moved to Fenerbahce (BBC Sport).

Why was Jeremy Doku not playing against Exeter City?

Doku was injured but nearing a return; Pep Guardiola confirmed his comeback in training (Manchester City official site).

How can I watch Man City vs Exeter City highlights?

Highlights are available on BBC iPlayer and the FA Cup’s official YouTube channel (BBC Sport).

Bottom line: Manchester City’s record scoreline reminds of the gap between Premier League and League One. For Exeter, the financial upside is real but comes with competitive cost. The FA’s revenue warning adds a layer of tension for future cup ties.

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