Chelsea progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a highly eventful 4-2 win over Wrexham that required extra time.
Liam Rosenior’s side went behind through Sam Smith’s goal but levelled via an own goal from Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
Wrexham regained their lead after half-time through Callum Doyle, but Chelsea forced extra time through Josh Acheampong’s equaliser, which came shortly before Wrexham went down to ten men as VAR intervened to upgrade a George Dobson yellow card to a red for a rash foul on Alejandro Garnacho.
It was Garnacho who put Chelsea ahead in extra time, the Blues fortunate that Lewis Brunt’s extra-time leveller for 3-3 was disallowed by VAR for a close offside call, before Joao Pedro raced through in injury time of extra time to make sure of victory.
Dom Smith was at the Racecourse Ground to rate the Chelsea players’ performances…
Robert Sanchez 4
Looked really nervy after being dropped for the win at Aston Villa. Back-pedalled twice as Wrexham went through, and conceded the first of those. Nothing he could do about the second.
Tosin Adarabioyo 6
Really struggled when recovering with his back to goal and was unable to catch Smith as Wrexham took the lead. Did well with interceptions and clearances, though, and a superb block denied Kieffer Moore in extra time.
Benoit Badiashile 5
A nervy outing from the Frenchman, who was helpless as he sprinted back to try to put Smith off for the opener.
Mamadou Sarr 5
A difficult night for Chelsea’s relatively inexperienced back-line, but Sarr was one of their better performers before being replaced.
Josh Acheampong 6
With Chelsea playing a back three, Acheampong was used as a right wing-back and put in a hard-working shift but struggled to break forward. Scored a fantastic goal to force extra time.
Romeo Lavia 4
Made his first start for Chelsea in four months and really struggled to have an impact. The game seemed too far for the Belgian, and he was booked.
Andrey Santos 5
Sat at the base of Chelsea’s midfield and was their anchor in possession. Like all of his team-mates, has played far better. Got a somewhat fortunate assist for Acheampong’s leveller.
Jorrel Hato 6
One of Chelsea’s better players on a very testing night. Defended diligently and almost scored before being substituted.
Pedro Neto 6
Didn’t always have luck on his side, hitting the bar when he might have won the tie in the 89th minute, but sought to make things happen all night.
Alejandro Garnacho 7
Probably Chelsea’s brightest player in Wrexham, forcing the opening goal which went down as an own goal by goalkeeper Okonkwo. A willing outlet and powerful runner late on in normal time before winning the game in extra time.
Liam Delap 6
Held the ball up really responsibly and the reward was the opening goal which came from one of his forays forward.
Subs:
Marc Guiu (Sarr, 58’) 5
Worked hard originally down the left and then through the middle when Delap went off. Missed a huge chance in extra time.
Dario Essugo (Lavia, 64’) 7
Did a good job when he came on, defending Wrexham’s crosses and aerial balls and assisting Garnacho’s winner.
Marc Cucurella (Hato, 64’) 5
Got forward into promising positions from the left wing-back position.
Joao Pedro (Delap, 85’) 7
Did a good job after coming on, knitting play beautifully at times. Less convincing defensively, but made up for that by racing away and scoring the stoppage-time goal to seal it with a minute to play.
Malo Gusto (Acheampong, 85’) 5
Came on to offer fresh legs defensively and did that. No frills.
Jesse Derry (Neto, 100’) 5
Could not compete with Wrexham’s physicality, naturally, but the 18-year-old worked hard during his cameo.
Not used: Sharman-Lowe, Chalobah, James
