WREXHAM 2-4 CHELSEA: A much-changed Blues side just get the job done in extra time – with thanks to VAR – after being pushed hard by their Championship opponents
Alejandro Garnacho struck in extra time as Chelsea twice came from behind to see off a spirited Wrexham side and reach the quarter finals of the FA Cup. Wrexham more than matched their Premier League opponents, twice led and had a last-gasp equaliser chalked off by VAR, but a red card and Chelsea’s strength off the bench made the difference in north Wales.
The home side took the lead when Sam Smith latched onto a long ball, beat the offside trap, sprinted clear of the Chelsea defence and placed a finish past Robert Sanchez. The Blues goalkeeper was forced into two more saves before they managed to equalise due to a slice of luck.
Garnacho’s effort was cleared off the line by George Thomason, only for the ball to cannon off the back of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and go in. Liam Rosenior rang the changes in the second half, but initially without the desired effect, and Wrexham deservedly took the lead once more.
Chelsea failed to clear a corner and Josh Windass’ powerful low drive was inventively flicked in by Callum Doyle to make it 2-1. The Premier League side responded immediately, with Josh Acheampong smashing into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
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Pedro Neto smashed the bar from a cutback before George Dobson was sent off, following a VAR review, for taking out Garnacho with a poor challenge to stop a break. Chelsea’s quality and man advantage told in extra time as Garnacho volleyed Dario Essugo’s cross in at the back post to go 3-2 up.
There was still time for more drama as Lewis Brunt thought he’d made it 3-3 from a corner. But VAR replays showed he was offside when Kieffer Moore flicked the ball on at the near post, breaking Wrexham hearts.
Lewis O’Brien curled another great chance wide before substitute Joao Pedro settled it with a piece of quality, finding the bottom corner in the dying moments. Here are the talking points from an FA Cup cracker.
1. Sanchez’s issues continue
Robert Sanchez lost his place in the Chelsea side for their 4-1 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on the weekend, with Liam Rosenior bringing in Filip Jorgensen. It felt like a decision that had been coming for a long time, with Sanchez failing to change the perception that he’s got a clanger in him.
His goalkeeping for Wrexham’s opening goal wasn’t of the Clown Academy variety, more not doing the basics well, but the outcome was the same. Smith’s first touch from Doyle’s long ball was good, yet the way Sanchez back-pedalled, didn’t get set and then allowed a weak back-pass of a finish past him into the middle of the goal, without getting a touch on it, was extremely disappointing from a Chelsea perspective. Similarly, the defending of Tosin and Benoit Badiashile left a lot to be desired.
2. Hollywood in the house
It wouldn’t be a high-profile televised Wrexham match without the cameras being trained on owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac (as he’s now known). This time there was the addition of Reynolds’ wife Blake Lively for extra interest.
Reynolds appeared to be on Facetime in the aftermath of Smith’s opening goal, with the Hollywood actor waving goodbye to whoever was on the phone as they celebrated. As easy as it is to be cynical, this was exactly the sort of occasion which reminded the viewer just how remarkable Wrexham’s story is.
3. Garnacho gets lucky
Garnacho is one of those players who gets booed no matter where he is or who he is playing against. And the Wrexham fans were enjoying what they were seeing from the former Manchester United winger in the first half: he was unable to make the most of space on the left wing and sent one attempted volley back to sender at the back post.
But Garnacho had the last laugh ultimately, with his shot ending in an own goal to send Chelsea in level at half-time. It was their only shot on target in the first 45 minutes, despite boasting 71 per cent possession. In truth, they were hardly deserving of their good fortune, but it was to get even better for the pantomime villain winger.
4. Too many changes
Rosenior has explained the need to manage the minutes of his biggest stars and he made nine changes to his line-up for the trip to north Wales, with Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez not even travelling. It showed, with Wrexham looking the much more dangerous side for the majority, despite Chelsea dominating possession.
Fringe players did not take their opportunities, with Romeo Lavia passive in central midfield, Badiashile run ragged by Smith and Delap running hard by outshone as soon as Joao Pedro came off the bench. Ultimately it didn’t cost them, but the performance was way off their usual standards.
5. Ghost goal
Garnacho’s goal was met with a strange reaction. The Argentine cushioned his volley past Okonkwo and wheeled away to celebrate, yet the usual response didn’t come – and, for once, that wasn’t due to VAR. Garnacho had timed his run perfectly to avoid being offside, but his finish bounced off the stanchion at the back of the goal, flying straight back out, to give some inside the stadium the impression it had hit the post.
It left referee Peter Bankes with the strange task of confirming that, yes, Garnacho had scored. The 21-year-old went to sit on a hoarding in celebration as the home fans gave him a volley of abuse.
6. VAR makes its impact
Both of the decisions were the correct ones. Dobson’s tackle on Garnacho was reckless and endangered his opponent. And Brunt was offside at the back post from Wrexham’s late corner. But the home fans certainly didn’t agree, with chants against the technology ringing around the Racecourse Ground.
VAR ended up adding another layer of intrigue to the situation – and ultimately helping Chelsea to get the job done.
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