Wrexham were denied a dramatic extra-time equaliser by VAR as Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro sealed a 4-2 victory for Chelsea to send Liam Rosenior’s side into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Lewis Brunt appeared to level the tie in the 114th minute when he tapped in from Kieffer Moore’s flicked header, sparking wild celebrations at the Racecourse Ground, only for replays to show an offside and the goal was ruled out. Deep into extra-time, substitute Joao Pedro raced clear to score a fourth in the 125th minute (120+5), after Garnacho had put Chelsea ahead in the 96th minute.
Rosenior made nine changes and his side looked disjointed at times, forced to come from behind twice against their Championship hosts in a tie that threatened a fairy-tale ending for Wrexham. Sam Smith had given the hosts the lead with a composed finish early on, but a clearance from George Thomason deflected off Arthur Okonkwo to bring Chelsea level.
Wrexham continued to press and retook the lead in the 78th minute when Callum Doyle flicked home a Josh Windass effort, but Chelsea responded through Josh Acheampong four minutes later, who danced into the box and finished at the near post to make it 2-2.
The match turned further after a VAR review at the end of normal time. George Dobson was initially shown a yellow card for a challenge but, following the review, the decision was upgraded to a red in the 93rd minute, reducing Wrexham to 10 men and leaving them to cope with extra-time under growing pressure.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was critical of VAR afterwards, saying he felt the on-field decision should have stood: “I thought VAR was meant to be for clear and obvious decisions. Dobbo’s gone in with force. The referee is in a good position to see it. He has scraped his shin. I thought he could’ve easily kept that as a yellow. In my opinion, I don’t think the VAR should’ve intervened. It was a tight call and if that’s the case you should leave it with the on-field decision.”
Rosenior admitted Chelsea were far from their best but emphasised squad management and the need to give players opportunities: “We’re through. It wasn’t the best performance. A really, really difficult game. You have to give your players opportunities. You have to see your squad and manage your squad. Some of the elements of our play was very good, and we are through to the next round.”
Parkinson was proud of his team’s showing despite the result: “There were so many elements of our play to be pleased with. Our pressing, our discipline, but also some of the football we played. We carried a threat tonight which we thought we would. We didn’t come here tonight just to stop Chelsea. It’s such a shame that our first taste of VAR has gone this way because it will be the talking point.”
Co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds applauded the players at full-time as Wrexham reflected on what might have been on a night that promised another cup upset. Chelsea progress to the last eight, though Rosenior acknowledged it was a tough, nervy passage into the next round.