HOLLYWOOD. That’s a fitting word to describe this game, as Chelsea scraped their way past Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham into the FA Cup quarter-final.
It was a fast and furious start from the spirited hosts, who took the lead after 17 minutes as Sam Smith buried the ball past Robert Sanchez with aplomb.
Before half-time though, Chelsea found a way back into the game through some calamitous Wrexham defending – a goal-line clearance rebounded off former Arsenal goalie Arthur Okwonko and into the back of the net.
Both sides rang in the changes in the second half, with Marc Cucurella returning from injury and Dario Essugo making his first competitive Chelsea appearance.
It was Wrexham sub Josh Windass that made the difference, though striking a deflected volley into the back of the Chelsea net to send Wrexham fans wild, only for the game to be drawn level minutes later by Josh Acheampong.
George Dobson was sent off for a horror tackle on Alejandro Garnacho, before being given a STANDING OVATION by the home supporters for the act.
Garnacho though, had the last laugh, scoring the winner on the volley in extra-time.
There was some shine added to the scoreline as Joao Pedro came off the bench to add a fourth.
SunSport’s Chelsea reporter Lloyd Canfield has given his ratings from the Racecourse Ground…
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 4
Chelsea fans chant about Robert Sanchez goes: “He used to be s**** now he’s alright, walking in a Sanchez wonderland”.
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This seemed more like last season’s Sanchez than the solid keeper we’ve seen for large parts of this campaign …
Should’ve done better for the Wrexham opener, though admittedly did save the Blues on a few occasions where they could’ve found themselves conceding more.
JOSH ACHEAMPONG – 6
Struggled at wing-back for Chelsea, and would’ve been better served playing at centre-half.
Played very high up the pitch which doesn’t make the most of his best qualities, which are defensive, though he did improve somewhat in the second half.
Bagged a vital Chelsea equaliser with a good finish into the roof of the net to keep the Blues in the game.
TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 2
Poor.
Even with two defenders either side of him he didn’t look good enough, and was left wanting for the Wrexham opener.
It’s tough really to praise anything about his performance in this one, as it was when he was dropped by Enzo Maresca earlier in the season for a similar performance against Leeds.
MAMADOU SARR – 5
Was probably the best of the three Chelsea central defenders, before confusingly being replaced by Marc Guiu after 57 minutes.
Was decent in the ball and fairly strong in his tackles, particularly impressive considering he is fasting due to Ramadan, and broke his fast in the first half.
BENOIT BADIASHILE – 2
Too slow. This is supposed to be a Champions League level centre-back who would look more at home in the Championship.
JORREL HATO – 7
Definitely the best of the Chelsea defenders on the pitch, and one of few players that could hold their head high after this game.
Has plenty of room for improvement, but today was a good performance, showing he can invert well, defend well 1v1, and pass nicely going forwards too.
Came close to giving Chelsea the lead in the second half before being replaced by the returning Marc Cucurella.
ANDREY SANTOS – 3
Ghosted in midfield in a match he should’ve dominated.
Too slow on the ball and too slow off it, Santos needed to demand the ball more and make things happen with his passing, which he struggled to do in this game.
Has had bright moments this season, and today should’ve been a match to build on that, but he didn’t.
ROMEO LAVIA – 3
Has been good for the Blues as he continues his return from a lengthy period of suffering with injuries.
Decent at recycling the ball and moving it on in midfield, but did look a little off the pace, getting an early booking after being beaten with ease in midfield.
The first time since coming back that he has looked like a player returning to fitness…
PEDRO NETO – 3
After a hat-trick against Hull City in the last round, fans were half expecting him to slice through the Wrexham defence like Deadpool himself.
He didn’t.
Showed a few half-decent flashes on the ball, but was far from the Maverick we saw against Hull, and didn’t seem up to scratch in this one.
Hit the bar late on
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7
It was Garnacho’s strike that forced Chelsea’s first half leveller, but giving him the credit would feel generous as the shot wasn’t great…
Ran like Turbo down the left wing, and eventually got his reward for plenty of hard work when he volleyed home in extra-time to secure the win for the Blues.
Chelsea’s most dangerous player on the night by a distance.
LIAM DELAP – 6
Up against three Wrexham defenders, his physicality was useful and vital in the Chelsea equaliser, for which he did really well to roll his man and feed Garnacho.
It was a selfless showing from the Blues forward who is desperate for goals, but ultimately he worked hard to do his bit for the team.
SUBS:
MARC GUIU (MAMADOU SARR, 58) – 4
Didn’t have the impact he would’ve hoped for from the bench, having not played for a long time.
Spurned a headed chance wide of the post late on.
MARC CUCURELLA (JORREL HATO, 65) – 5
Returned from injury in this game, and the minutes in his tank will be needed.
He wasn’t on the ball an awful lot, but got forward nicely and showed flashes of what he can do.
DARIO ESSUGO (ROMEO LAVIA, 65) – 6
Made his first competitive Chelsea appearance, replacing Romeo Lavia.
In fairness to him, he didn’t look at all rusty and settled into a tense game nicely with some key blocks and tackles.
Secured the assist for Garnacho’s winner.
JOAO PEDRO (LIAM DELAP, 84) – 5
Chelsea’s man of the moment would’ve hoped to be rested in this game, but had no such luck, he was needed.
Injected a bit of life into the Blues frontline with a few good passes into dangerous positions.
He was rewarded for his impact with a goal to seal Chelsea’s passage into the next round.
MALO GUSTO (JOSH ACHEAMPONG, 84)
Made some important tackles and blocks after coming on
JESSE DERRY (PEDRO NETO, ET) – 5
Almost immediately hacked down after coming on in extra time, but wasn’t afraid to show some neat touches on the ball and do his due diligence defensively.
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