Chelsea edge Wrexham in extra time to reach FA Cup quarters
Chelsea have stepped up efforts to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs, valued at around £50m, with the 23-year-old having kept eight clean sheets in 28 league games as the Blues seek an upgrade on the inconsistent Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea edge Wrexham 4-2 after extra time, twice coming from behind in a fifth-round FA Cup tie decided late on.
Rotated Chelsea scraped past 10-man Wrexham after Robert Sanchez’s hesitant display contributed to the opener. Joao Pedro came on late, created danger and struck in stoppage time of extra time. VAR correctly sent off George Dobson for his challenge on Alejandro Garnacho.
PSG wobbled before hosting Chelsea, narrowly progressing 5-4 against Monaco before losing 1-3 at home. Luis Enrique admitted they are ‘clearly struggling’ and must rebuild confidence ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie.
Chelsea consider Estêvão ‘untouchable’ and could offer a new deal after the World Cup. The 18-year-old, named Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards, has seven goals and two assists in 31 games and has set multiple club and competition age records.
Liam Rosenior says Chelsea were ‘lucky’ in the 4-2 extra-time win, noting two key VAR calls against Wrexham: George Dobson’s red card for a foul on Alejandro Garnacho and a disallowed Lewis Brunt goal in extra time. He praised Garnacho’s display and looked ahead to a big game on Wednesday.
Alan Shearer says Joao Pedro’s composure and dribbling made a ‘huge difference’ off the bench as Chelsea beat Wrexham 4-2 after extra time, with the forward scoring his 18th of the season and first FA Cup goal.
Behdad Eghbali told Ryan Reynolds “make it up to the Prem” after Chelsea’s 4-2 extra-time win over Wrexham, with Rosenior’s side progressing as Joao Pedro scored again and Chelsea targeting Champions League qualification.
Five takeaways for Chelsea from the 4-2 extra-time win at Wrexham: Romeo Lavia looked rusty on his first start since November; Tosin Adarabioyo struggled; Joao Pedro proved decisive late on; Alejandro Garnacho strengthened his case to start next time out; and Filip Jorgensen is viewed as first choice after Robert Sanchez’s errors.
Ryan Reynolds hails Wrexham after Chelsea’s 4-2 extra-time win. He reflects with pride on pushing Chelsea to extra time as Wrexham had George Dobson sent off following a VAR review and saw a Lewis Brunt effort ruled out for offside at 3-2.
