Pepijn Lijnders and Rico Lewis rave about Antoine Semenyo after five-star Manchester City debut | OneFootball

Antoine Semenyo opened his Manchester City goalscoring account and provided an assist on his debut for his new club in Saturday’s 10-1 rout of Exeter City.

The Ghana international was confirmed as a Manchester City signing on Friday morning, putting pen to paper on a five-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium after joining from Bournemouth for £64 million.

Semenyo has bolstered a City frontline often overly reliant on Erling Haaland in the final third, with doubts rising over the Blues’ silverware prospects in the backdrop of a three successive draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton to begin the new calendar year.

However, the Etihad Stadium has been given a huge lift with the arrival of Semenyo from the south coast, with the London-born star thrown straight into action by Pep Guardiola in Manchester City’s opening game of the 2025-26 FA Cup campaign on Saturday afternoon.

The former Bristol City star lined up on the left wing for Manchester City against Exeter, partnering Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan McAidoo in a ferocious attack against the League One outfit.

Guardiola is understood to have personally led Manchester City’s pursuit of Semenyo, who attracted widespread interest in the Premier League before deciding that he wanted to move to the Etihad Stadium to fulfil his ambition of winning major trophies.

After scoring his first goal for the club and providing an assist for Rico Lewis on his debut against Exeter, Semenyo drew huge praise from Manchester City assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders – who managed the Blues on Saturday whilst Guardiola was in the stands serving a suspension – as well as Lewis.

“When the team plays like that, it’s easier for individuals,” said Lijnders, in post-match conversation with Manchester City’s official channels. “We followed him (Semenyo) for a long time and he brings something to the front line we need. He wants to chase, he doesn’t stop. He can adapt quickly to our style so it’s nice to have him.”

Guardiola will be delighted with Manchester City’s early transfer business in January, with the Blues now also intensifying efforts to sign Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi in the wake of concerning injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

Semenyo has provided Guardiola a much-needed reinforcement in attack as Manchester City hunt down Premier League leaders Arsenal, who have established a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League as City underwent their recent dip in form.

Outlining the boost Semenyo gives Manchester City in the second half of the season, Lewis added: “Really excited (to have him)! Even without his performance today, we all know the quality he’s got, everyone in the Premier League has seen it and that’s why everyone wanted him!

“We’re really excited and happy to have him here, and he’s a good person as well, which helps. But he’s got so much quality that he’s going to help us so much this season.”

Semenyo is in line to retain his place in the starting XI when Manchester City travel to Newcastle for the opening leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie next week.