Wrexham 2-4 Chelsea: A much-changed Blues side only finished the job in extra-time thanks to VAR after being pushed hard by their Championship opponents
Alejandro Garnacho scores in extra time for Chelsea (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Alejandro Garnacho scored in extra time as Chelsea advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals, defeating a Wrexham team riding high with two come-from-behind wins. Wrexham were more than even with their Premier League opponents, taking the lead twice and a last-minute equalizer was ruled out by VAR, but a red card and Chelsea’s strength off the bench made the difference for North Wales.
The home side took the lead when Sam Smith latched onto a long ball, beat the offside trap, sprinted past the Chelsea defense and finished past Robert Sanchez. The Blues goalkeeper was forced to make two more saves before a stroke of luck managed to equalize.
Garnacho’s shot was cleared on the goal line by George Thomasson, but the ball hit goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo on the back and flew into the frame.
Chelsea were unable to clear a corner kick and Callum Doyle creatively pushed home Josh Windass’ powerful low drive to make it 2-1. The Premier League side reacted immediately, with Josh Achiampong smashing the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
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Pedro Neto hit the bar from a cutback and George Dobson was sent off following a VAR review for bringing down Garnacho with a poor challenge to prevent a break. In extra time, Garnacho volleyed Dario Essugo’s cross into the back post, demonstrating Chelsea’s quality and man advantage as they took a 3-2 lead.
Lewis Brandt looked to have made it 3-3 from a corner kick, but there was still time for more drama. But Wrexham were left heartbroken after a VAR replay revealed Kieffer Moore was offside when he flicked the ball at his near post.
Lewis O’Brien sent another great chance wide, before substitute Joao Pedro struck home in the bottom corner in a desperate moment. Here are the talking points from the FA Cup Cracker:
1. Sanchez’s problems continue
Liam Rosenior introduced Filip Jorgensen and Robert Sanchez lost his place in the Chelsea side that beat Aston Villa 4-1 in the Premier League at the weekend. Sanchez couldn’t shake the perception that he had a picky eater in him, and it felt like a decision that had been a long time coming.
His goalkeeping, which scored Wrexham’s first goal, was not of the Crown Academy variety, in fact he was not as good at the fundamentals, but the result was the same. Smith’s first touch on Doyle’s long ball was good, but it was very disappointing from Chelsea’s point of view that Sanchez backpedaled and allowed a weak backpass into the center of goal without being set or getting any touch. Similarly, there was room for improvement in the defense of Tocin and Benoît Badiashile.
Sam Smith beat Wrexham 1-0 (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
2. Hollywood at home
Had the cameras not been trained on owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mack (as he is now known), this match would not have been a high-profile televised Wrexham match. This time, Reynolds’ wife Blake Lively was also added with special interest.
Immediately after Smith’s opening goal, Reynolds appeared to be on FaceTime, with the Hollywood actor waving to his caller in celebration. It’s easy to be cynical, but this was exactly the kind of thing that reminded viewers just how remarkable Wrexham’s story is.
Cameras were trained on famous actors (Image: James Gill/Getty Images)
3. Garnacho gets good luck.
Garnacho is one of those players who gets booed no matter where he is or who he’s playing. And Wrexham fans enjoyed seeing the former Manchester United winger in the first half. He failed to make the most of the space on the left and once sent a volley to a sender at the back post.
But Garnacho ultimately had the last laugh. The shot ended up in an own goal and Chelsea equalized at half-time. Despite having 71 percent of possession, this was their only shot on target in the first 45 minutes. In truth, they didn’t deserve that good fortune, but pantomime villain Winger was to be even luckier.
Alejandro Garnacho was lucky to score the equalizer (Image: Chelsea FC, Getty Images)
4. Too many changes
Rosenior explained the need to manage the minutes of his biggest stars, making nine changes to his line-up for the trip to north Wales, with Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandes not even making the trip. It showed that despite Chelsea dominating the ball, Wrexham were the more dangerous team for most.
The fringe players failed to take advantage of the opportunities, with Romeo Lavia becoming passive in the center of midfield, Badiasile running roughshod over Smith, and Delap attacking and outshooting Joao Pedro as soon as he came off the bench. In the end it didn’t cost anything, but the performance was way off the normal standards.
Callum Doyle wins 2-1 against Wrexham (Image: James Gill/Getty Images)
5. Ghost Goal
Garnacho’s goal had a strange reaction. The Argentine softened a volley past Okonkwo and ran off to celebrate, but he didn’t get the usual reaction, but this time it wasn’t because of VAR. Garnacho timed his run perfectly to avoid offside, but his finish bounced off the post behind the goal and flew straight away, giving the impression to some in the stadium that he had hit the post.
As a result, referee Peter Banks was left with the odd task of confirming that Garnacho had scored. The 21-year-old tried to sit in the celebrations amid taunts from home fans.
6. VAR has an impact
Lewis Brandt was offside (Image: TNT Sports)
Both decisions were correct. Dobson’s tackle on Garnacho was reckless and put his opponent in danger. Then from a late Wrexham corner, Brunt hit the back post and was ruled offside. But the home fans certainly didn’t agree, with anti-technology chants echoing around the racecourse grounds.
VAR ended up adding more intrigue to the situation and ultimately helped Chelsea get the job done.
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