In football, the term ‘Perfect Ten’ is often used to describe a player wearing the number ten shirt, typically associated with skill, flair, and game-changing abilities. However, on 10 January 2026, Manchester City delivered a literal ‘Perfect Ten’ in their FA Cup third-round match, scoring ten goals against Exeter City.
The Etihad Stadium witnessed a historic afternoon as City dismantled their League Two opponents 10–1. Remarkably, Exeter contributed one goal themselves, making the final scoreline coincide almost perfectly with the date: 10/1. Such alignment of calendar and scoreline is a rarity in football history.
City’s goals were shared among seven players, with prolific striker Erling Haaland absent. Dutch forward Rico Lewis netted twice, scoring in the 49th and 91st minutes. Two goals were recorded as own goals by Exeter defenders, while the remaining six goals were scored by Max Alaina, Rodri, Antony Semenyo, Tyanni Reinders, Nico O’Reilly, and Ryan McCade.
| Player | Goals Scored | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Rico Lewis | 2 | 49, 91 |
| Max Alaina | 1 | – |
| Rodri | 1 | – |
| Antony Semenyo | 1 | – |
| Tyanni Reinders | 1 | – |
| Nico O’Reilly | 1 | – |
| Ryan McCade | 1 | – |
| Exeter own goals | 2 | – |
Rodri’s goal marked his first for City since May 2024, while 26-year-old Semenyo made a memorable impact, scoring just 24 hours after joining from Bournemouth. He also contributed an assist, echoing the debut-day brilliance of Sergio Agüero, who had scored and assisted against Swansea in 2011. Fourteen years later, City witnessed a player replicating such a remarkable debut performance.
Historically, City’s ten-goal haul is extraordinary. No top-tier English club has scored ten goals in a competitive match since 1986, when Liverpool defeated Fulham 10–0 in the League Cup—making this only the second occurrence in nearly four decades. While larger victories exist in English football, such as Tottenham’s 13–2 demolition of Crewe in 1960, the synchronisation of date and scoreline makes this occasion unique.
For fans, the match ensures that remembering City’s FA Cup third-round triumph requires no calendar consultation: 10 January, 10–1—a ‘Perfect Ten’ in every sense.