Wrexham 2-4 Chelsea (AET): Blues Survive FA Cup Scare in Extra-Time Thriller

Chelsea twice came from behind to knock Wrexham out of the FA Cup in Extra-time.

Two goals in extra-time helped Chelsea beat a spirited Wrexham side after a rollercoaster match in South Wales.

The blues had twice trailed their hosts, but fought back to force extra-time.

Wrexham were hampered by a red card for defender George Dobson in second half injury time.

Acheampong spares Chelsea blushes

Chelsea began the game using a three at the back system. They had only previously started a game like this once this season, during a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Carabao cup. This seemed to cause defensive uncertainty, which was only fixed when the blues reverted to a back four after 58 minutes.

Wrexham exploited the space between right-sided centre-back Mamadou Sarr, and central centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, when striker Sam Smith latched onto Callum Doyle's through ball, and slotted home the opening goal.

Chelsea were slow to respond, and Wrexham came close to doubling their advantage when Robert Sanchez tipped a shot from Doyle over the bar. The visitors levelled before half-time however, when a goal mouth clearance ricocheted off goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, and into the Wrexham net.

The home side started the second-half strongly, with Sanchez saving from Lewis O'Brien, and Doyle, either side of a Wrexham penalty shout for handball against Chelsea substitute Marc Guiu.

In the 79th minute, Doyle was able to flick substitute Josh Windass' shot past the stranded Chelsea keeper to restore Wrexham's lead.

This time Chelsea were quick to respond however, with Josh Acheampong capitalising on a slip from Dobson to equalise three minutes later.

Minutes later Dobson was sent-off for a high challenge on Alejandro Garnacho, forcing Wrexham to play extra time with ten players.

Chelsea took control of possession at the beginning of extra-time, with the in-form Joao Pedro replacing Liam Delap, and adding fluidity to Chelsea's attack.

Following chances for Guiu and Santos, Garnacho was able to lose his marker and turn home a deep cross from substitute Dario Essugo. Essugo's assist was his first goal contribution for Chelsea, on his first appearance since the Club World Cup last summer. Garnacho also forced a save from a free-kick at the end of the first half of extra-time.

Wrexham thought they'd pulled off an unlikely comeback as two substitutes combined from a 114th minute corner to briefly level the match. Kieffer Moore, who had almost scored moments before when his header was blocked by Adarabioyo, flicked on a corner to the back post where Lewis Brunt had been left unmarked. Celebrations were cut short however, when Brunt was shown to be offside by a VAR check, prompting outrage from the home fans.

The fans watched an even later chance go begging when O'Brien sliced a shot wide from the edge of the area in stoppage time.

A moment of coolness and clarity sealed the tie for Chelsea. Pedro picked the ball up from Essugo in midfield, and exploited a tired and out of position Wrexham defence to shoot past Okonkwo from the edge of the area. That was Pedro's 18th goal of the season, and sealed an unexpectedly dramatic win for the travelling side.

Doyle produced a moment of high quality to set-up Sam Smith for the Championship side's first goal. Doyle's second-half strike required a strong finisher's instinct, and looked to have given Wrexham the win.

The centre-back was also instrumental in Wrexham's defensive display. He coped well with the physical challenge presented by Delap, and provided vital blocks from Acheampong and Guiu, as well as being a constant threat at offensive set pieces.

Wrexham will be back in action at home on Tuesday night against Hull, as both teams fight for a Championship play-off place.

Chelsea face a trip to the Parc de Princes to face European Champions Paris Saint Germain a day later, before hosting Newcastle next Saturday.

The blues will find out their next FA cup opponents in Monday's quarter-final draw.