Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders says his side are determined to reach finals this year after the Premier League giants thrashed Devon side Exeter City 10-1 in the FA Cup
Andy Hampson Press Association
08:29, 11 Jan 2026
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Manchester City players celebrate the teams third goal which was an own goal scored by Jake Doyle-Hayes of Exeter City (not pictured) during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Exeter City at Etihad Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Manchester City players celebrate the teams third goal which was an own goal scored by Jake Doyle-Hayes of Exeter City (not pictured) during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Exeter City at Etihad Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
Pep Lijnders has stated that Manchester City are resolute in their determination to continue their strong performance, following a double-figure victory over Exeter in the FA Cup.
City's new £62.5million signing, Antoine Semenyo, marked his debut with a goal as the team delivered a powerful message by thrashing the League One side 10-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Having been held to frustrating draws in their last three Premier League matches, title-contending City now look ahead to their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle on Tuesday.
Lijnders, assistant manager to Pep Guardiola, believed it was crucial for the team to return to winning ways in such a decisive manner.
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Goal celebrations for Ryan McAidoo of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Round 3 match between Manchester City and Exeter City at The Etihad Stadium on 10 January 2026 in Manchester, England (Photo by Steve Taylor/PPAUK)(Image: Steve Taylor/PPAUK)
Guardiola's right-hand man, who took charge in the technical area while Guardiola served a one-match touchline ban, said: "We want to reach finals this year and we are on our way. We play now the semi-final for the League Cup.
"We go further here in the FA Cup and we are in the Champions League in a good position. We want to build on that.
"But for us the most important thing, Pep says it all the time, we want to grow, we want to build, we want to make the next step as a team.
"For that we need to keep working hard and take nothing for granted. With this we will grow and we will make the next step."
The scoring spree began with young player Max Alleyne, followed by Rodri netting his first goal in 20 months, with City also benefiting from two own goals.
Rico Lewis netted twice in the second half, with additional goals from Semenyo, Tijjani Reijnders, Nico O'Reilly and 17 year old newcomer Ryan McAidoo.
Semenyo, who also assisted one of Lewis's goals, was only officially announced as a City player after finalising his transfer from Bournemouth on Friday.
Lijnders commented: "I think (there were) a lot of good performances today. When the team plays like that it becomes easier for the individual but Antoine is settling well.
"He is a humble guy. He brings something to the front line that we really want and we need.
"He can attack quick, he wants to chase, he is a guy who doesn't stop. He can adapt quite quickly to our style."
It proved to be a challenging afternoon for Exeter, although George Birch did manage to score an impressive late consolation goal.
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Exeter City's George Birch with manager Gary Caldwell following the Emirates FA Cup third round match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday January 10, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. (Image: PA)
Exeter's manager, Gary Caldwell, humorously suggested things could have been worse had Liam Oakes capitalised on an early opportunity.
He remarked: "If that early chance had gone in it might have annoyed them and they might have scored more!".
"It's a lesson that when one of the best managers of all time needs to win a game he picks a team to win it.
"The respect they showed was outstanding – they did what Man City should have done to us.
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"It was a really humbling experience but our season will not be defined by this. It will be defined by the remaining league games."