Chelsea survive scare at Wrexham to reach quarter-finals
Wrexham 2
Smith (18′)
Doyle (79′)
Chelsea 4Okonkwo (OG, 40′)
Acheampong (82′)
Garnacho (96′)
Joao Pedro (105’+5)
Chelsea needed extra time and some good fortune to overcome Championship side Wrexham and reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
They were twice behind against the Welsh outfit, who played extra time with 10 men after George Dobson was sent off during the final few moments of normal time.
Sam Smith put Wrexham ahead and an own goal by keeper Arthur Okonkwo shortly before the interval brought the Blues level.
Callum Doyle’s 79th-minute goal left Chelsea facing the prospect of an embarrassing fifth-round exit, but Josh Acheampong equalised three minutes later.
Chelsea made their numerical advantage count after Dobson’s dismissal, with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro taking them through.
The visitors fell behind when Smith got away from Tosin Adarabioyo to collect Doyle’s long ball over the top and slot past keeper Robert Sanchez.
Wrexham were unlucky when Garnacho’s shot was cleared off the line by George Thomason and the ball rebounded off the back of Okonkwo and into the net.
Chelsea came under sustained pressure in the second half and were undone after failing to deal with a corner. Josh Windass sent a strike towards goal and Doyle diverted the ball beyond Sanchez.
However, after scenes of wild celebrations, the hosts switched off at the back and Acheampong capitalised by firing home from close range after being played in by Dario Essugo.
Chelsea went close to taking the lead when Pedro Neto’s 89th-minute shot hit the bar, and Dobson was then dismissed for a reckless challenge on Garnacho.
The Wrexham man initially escaped but was shown a red card after a VAR check and referee Peter Bankes had viewed the pitchside monitor.
Garnacho put away Essugo’s cross and, after Lewis Brunt had an equaliser ruled out for offside, Joao Pedro scored on the counter-attack to seal the win.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Acheampong (Gusto 85), Tosin, Badiashile, Sarr (Guiu 58), Hato (Cucurella 65), Lavia (Essugo 65), Santos, Neto (Derry 100), Garnacho, Delap (Joao Pedro 85)
Subs not used: Sharman-Lowe, James, Chalobah.
