Antoine Semenyo scored on his Manchester City debut as Pep Guardiola’s side began their bid to reach a record fourth successive Emirates FA Cup final with a thumping 10-1 win against Exeter City.
After Macclesfield FC stunned Crystal Palace in Saturday’s early kick-off, teams up and down the country will have been inspired ahead of third round ties against higher-league opposition.
But City were in no mood to go the same way as last season's champions, as they matched their biggest ever margin of victory in a FA Cup tie
Centre-back Max Alleyne broke the deadlock with close-range finish following a corner in the 12th minute, before Rodri’s spectacular second in the 24th effectively killed the tie.
What a week for Antoine Semenyo 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C71uAlelo3
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 10, 2026
Exeter, 14th in League One and unbeaten in three games before kick-off, conceded two own goals just before half-time to go in 4-0 down, before Semenyo showed why City bought him from Bournemouth this week.
The winger set-up Rico Lewis to score City’s fifth with a delicious cross shortly after the break, before opening his City account with a composed finish after being played through on goal.
Tijjani Reijnders’s low shot and Nico O’Reilly’s looping header made it 8-0, before 17-year-old winger Ryan McAidoo brought the loudest cheer of the day as he belted home a ninth for his first career goal.
George Birch grabbed a late consolation for Exeter with a spectacular left-footed shot from outside the box but Lewis completed the rout with a volleyed finish.
Elsewhere, rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland both reached the fourth round via penalty shoot-outs in a pair of all-Premier League ties.
Newcastle beat AFC Bournemouth 7-6 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James' Park. The hosts broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half when Harvey Barnes slotted home but Adam Scott’s far-post tap-in and David Brooks’ excellent curling finish flipped the match on its head.
Bournemouth looked set for the fourth round but Anthony Gordan’s 90th-minute penalty sent the game to extra time.
Newcastle then thought they had won it in extra time when Barnes’ header two minutes from the end put them 3-2 up, only for Marcus Tavernier to equalise with almost the last kick.
After both teams missed once in the shoot-out, it went to sudden death and Newcastle prevailed when Aaron Ramsdale saved from Bafode Diakite.
RAMSDALE SAVES FROM DIAKITE AND WE'RE IN THE FOURTH ROUND OF THE FA CUP!! 🤩
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 10, 2026
Newcastle United: ☑️❌❌☑️☑️☑️☑️☑️☑️
AFC Bournemouth: ☑️❌☑️❌☑️☑️☑️☑️❌ pic.twitter.com/v4qBtWrnN9
The shoot-out was far simpler for Sunderland, who knocked out Everton in the first Cup game at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Enzo Le Fee’s excellent volley put the Black Cats ahead but a late James Garner penalty ensured the match finished 1-1 and sent it to extra time and subsequently penalties.
Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs then became the star of the show as he saved all three of Everton’s penalties, while Sunderland scored all three of theirs to progress.
What a volley! 💥
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 10, 2026
Enzo Le Fée with a stunner to give Sunderland the lead against Everton!
📺 Watch live on @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/59BY6g8IdT
Meanwhile, Emi Buendia scored one and set up another as Aston Villa won 2-1 away at Tottenham Hotspur. Buendia combined with Donyell Malen before firing into the roof of the net to break the deadlock, and then teed up England's Morgan Rogers in first-half injury time.
Wilson Odobert pulled one back for Spurs but, despite a much-improved second-half display, they were unable to pull level.
What a goal from Morgan Rogers! 🔥
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 10, 2026
He doubles Aston Villa’s lead against Spurs in the #EmiratesFACup.
📺 Watch live on @BBCMOTD and @footballontnt️ pic.twitter.com/6aABxHa5my
In the other evening kick-offs, National League South side Weston-super-Mare came from 2-0 down to draw level with Grimsby Town, but eventually lost 3-2, while Birmingham City held off a Cambridge City comeback to prevail by the same scoreline.
In other action, West London trio Chelsea, Fulham and Brentford all reached the fourth round with wins against Championship opposition.
Chelsea beat Charlton Athletic 5-1 in Liam Rosenior's first game as head coach, with Jorrel Hato's long-range strike the pick of the goals.
Fulham came from a goal down to beat Middlesbrough 3-1, with Harry Wilson’s introduction mid-way through the second half proving pivotal, while Brentford beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0.
Ashley Barnes scored twice as Burnley beat Millwall 5-1, while Jorgen Strand Larsen bagged a hat-trick as Wolverhampton Wanderers saw off Shrewsbury Town 6-1 on a positive afternoon for Premier League teams.
Lamine Cisse scored perhaps the best goal of the day, as Stoke City beat Championship rivals Coventry City 1-0.
This is how Lamine Cisse scored Stoke City’s winning goal in the FA Cup 😱 pic.twitter.com/sJCTNo717m
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 10, 2026
For all of the results, click here.
