City pick up monster FA Cup victory

Manchester City absolutely thrashed League One opposition Exeter City as Pep Guardiola’s side cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

City, beaten finalists in the past two seasons, benefitted from two first-half own goals before piling on the goals in a huge win.

Jake Doyle-Hayes and Jack Fitzwater were the unfortunate men who put the ball in their own net after defender Max Alleyne opened his account for the club and captain for the day Rodri continued his comeback from injury with a cracking goal.

Rico Lewis picked up a goal in the second half and Antoine Semenyo, the £65m signing from Bournemouth, then scored on his debut with a fine low finish.

Tijjani Reijnders made it seven with a stunning curling finish and Nico O’Reilly headed an eighth as City matched the score they put up on Salford City last year.

There was time for City to go one better as Ryan McAidoo hammered in from 20 yards on his debut with bizarrely City’s ninth shot on target of the game.

The home fans were calling for a 10th but the next goal came for Exeter, George Birch hammering in left-footed.

The goals weren’t over, and Lewis got his second of the game to bring up double figures in added time.

City have now won their last 16 home matches in the FA Cup while Exeter last beat a top-flight side in the competition when they knocked out Leicester in 1981.