Chelsea survive Wrexham scare to reach FA Cup quarter-finals
Wrexham gave Chelsea everything they could handle and more on Saturday before Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro struck in extra time to send the Premier League side through. The Championship club twice led in front of co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and only a red card for George Dobson in stoppage time tilted the contest Chelsea's way.
Wrexham take the lead twice
Sam Smith opened the scoring in the 18th minute, latching onto a long ball and finishing past Robert Sánchez. Chelsea drew level against the run of play when Garnacho's shot was cleared off the line by George Thomason but bounced in off Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo for an own goal in the 40th minute.
Wrexham refused to settle for parity. Callum Doyle put them ahead again in the 78th minute, instinctively flicking in Josh Windass's strike at the near post. Four minutes later, Josh Acheampong pulled Chelsea level for a second time, firing powerfully into the roof of the net after Dobson lost possession in midfield.
Red card and extra-time heartbreak
Dobson's evening went from bad to worse in the 93rd minute. A high challenge on Garnacho was reviewed by VAR and upgraded from a yellow to a straight red by referee Peter Bankes, leaving Wrexham to contest extra time with ten men.
Garnacho made them pay in the 96th minute, volleying in from close range after Dario Essugo picked him out with a cross. Wrexham thought they had levelled again through Lewis Brunt in the 114th minute, but VAR intervened once more, ruling the goal out for offside. João Pedro then rounded off the scoring in the dying seconds to make it 4-2.
Chelsea go through but will know they were fortunate. Wrexham, managed by Phil Parkinson, leave the competition with their reputation enhanced after a performance that reminded everyone why the FA Cup still produces the best nights in English football.
