Antoine Semenyo has had a flying start at Manchester City and proved his worth again in his second match for the Citizens. The Ghanaian is being praised after his performance in the League Cup against Newcastle United, and says he is enjoying his new surroundings.
Antoine Semenyo’s rapid impact at Manchester City continues to gather momentum after another decisive contribution in a big away night, with Pep Guardiola’s side winning 0-2 at Newcastle United in the League Cup semi-final.
Signed from Bournemouth earlier this month, the Ghanaian winger has now scored 2 goals in his first 2 appearances for City, following up his debut strike in the FA Cup against Exeter with another finish that further underlined how quickly he has adapted to Guardiola’s demands.
For City, the result mattered on several levels. Beyond the obvious advantage it provides in a two-legged semi-final, the performance carried the feel of a timely reset after a period that, by the club’s standards, has included uneven displays and the complications that come with injuries and constant rotation. In that context, Semenyo’s arrival has been framed not simply as an additional attacking option, but as a player who has brought energy, directness, and a clear threat in the decisive moments that can swing a cup tie.
Manchester Evening News was among the outlets to highlight how quickly Semenyo has influenced City’s mood and attacking edge. The paper described him as making an immediate impact on Guardiola’s team, arguing that while City had struggled the previous week and were dealing with injuries, Semenyo has noticeably lifted the atmosphere around the squad. That kind of assessment is often reserved for players who change the temperature of a dressing room and a stadium, not just for those who add depth. It also reflects a broader point: even at a club as established and system-driven as City, there is always room for a player who offers something slightly different, particularly in knockout football where a single action can define a night.
The same outlet scored Semenyo 8 out of 10, matching the rating given to Jérémy Doku and goalkeeper James Trafford. The evaluation carried an interesting subtext, too. There has been some suggestion that the acquisition of a winger like Semenyo might signal City moving further away from the style that dominated English football in the late 2010s, when they were often described as a possession-heavy machine. But Manchester Evening News argued that Semenyo’s goal at Newcastle, a tap-in at the back post, was exactly the kind of finish that past wide forwards like Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling would have relished. In other words, the skill set might be expressed through a different profile, but the end product fits a familiar City pattern: arriving at the far post, timing the run, and converting high-value chances created through structured pressure and wide overloads.
That idea also helps explain why Semenyo’s early goals are being treated as more than just a hot streak. A tap-in at the back post is rarely glamorous, but it is often the result of excellent movement and good instincts, especially in matches where space is limited and the opposition are compact. If a winger is repeatedly getting into those areas at the right time, it tends to signal that he is already reading the rhythm of the team’s attacking sequences.
Other major English outlets echoed the positive appraisal. The Daily Mail also gave Semenyo an 8 and described his opening weeks as a dream start, noting that he quickly became the standout figure against Newcastle as well. That phrasing matters because City’s squad is full of established names, and for a new signing to be framed as the “man of the moment” so quickly suggests that his performances are cutting through the usual noise.
The Guardian’s reporting focused on the drama that accompanied City’s attacking play, referencing what it called a VAR storm. The paper specifically pointed to a disallowed Semenyo goal after around an hour, a decision that followed a review lasting roughly 6 minutes. Guardiola’s reaction was clear: he was not pleased with the outcome. Even without diving into the specifics of the incident, the episode adds another layer to Semenyo’s performance. He not only scored in the tie, he also had another moment significant enough to become a talking point, and one that left the City bench frustrated. For a winger who has only just arrived, being at the centre of those moments is notable.
The Independent placed Semenyo’s start in a broader historical context, pointing out that no City player had scored in his first 2 matches since Emmanuel Adebayor in 2009. Whether or not comparisons are ultimately fair, that kind of statistic is catnip for narratives, and it captures why Semenyo’s first fortnight has become a headline. The Independent also noted that he has already earned his own chant among City supporters, which is often a strong indicator of connection: fans typically reserve that kind of immediate embrace for players who either produce decisive moments, show obvious commitment, or both.
From City’s perspective, the 0-2 away result leaves them with one foot in the League Cup final, but the job is not finished. The second leg at the Etihad Stadium still has to be played, and Guardiola will know that semi-finals have a habit of shifting quickly if intensity drops or margins go against you. However, the advantage City have built should allow them to approach the return with control, focusing on game management as much as flair, while still exploiting the moments that Newcastle inevitably have to open up and take risks.
Semenyo’s own comments help explain why his adjustment has looked so smooth. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said he has felt at home quickly and praised the internal environment at the club. He described the atmosphere as perfect, emphasising the confidence in the squad and the collective drive to be the best. He also credited teammates and staff for helping him build confidence and feel welcome, adding that he has carried over the belief he developed at Bournemouth and is playing with a smile, enjoying every moment. That combination of comfort and edge is often what you see in players who settle quickly: they do not look like they are auditioning, they look like they belong.
There was also a respectful closing of the chapter with Bournemouth. Semenyo placed an advert in the Bournemouth Echo last weekend to thank supporters for their backing over the past years. That detail rounds out the profile of a player who has moved up a level and immediately delivered, while still acknowledging what came before. For City, it is a useful sign too. They have acquired a player who appears motivated, grounded, and eager to contribute, and who is already producing goals and moments in high-pressure matches.
Two games, two goals, and widespread praise is not a guarantee of long-term stardom, but it is about as strong a first impression as a new signing can make. With the second leg still to come, Semenyo now has the chance to turn a flying start into a genuine statement, and to further justify the growing sense that City have added not only talent, but fresh energy at exactly the right time.
