Sunday’s briefing: More FA Cup drama awaits after Chelsea avoid shock at Wrexham

Chelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham.

Arsenal also survived a scare at Mansfield to keep their quadruple hopes alive. There was, though, little drama as Manchester City won 3-1 at Newcastle.

Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway gave England a 2-0 victory over Iceland – and back-to-back wins to start their Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Wrexham denied Hollywood ending by VAR

Chelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham.

With Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac in attendance, the ambitious Welsh outfit were dreaming of a famous victory when they took the lead at a raucous Stok Cae Ras through Sam Smith.

A fortuitous own goal allowed the sluggish Londoners to equalise but the Red Dragons’ hopes were rekindled with an improvised finish from Callum Doyle 12 minutes from time.

Yet it was not to be as Josh Acheampong levelled for a second time and Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro secured Chelsea’s quarter-final spot in extra time after the hosts had George Dobson sent off.

Wrexham felt they deserved more and thought they had made it 3-3 before Pedro’s late strike through Lewis Brunt, but his effort was ruled narrowly offside by VAR in a pulsating finish.

Reynolds revealed his pride, posting on X: “Three years ago this week, we battled Maidenhead United to a draw. Today we pushed Chelsea to extra time. So incredibly proud of Wrexham’s performance today.”

Gunners march on after edging past Mansfield

Eberechi Eze’s thumping strike saw Arsenal survive a scare at Mansfield as Mikel Arteta’s men reached the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win which keeps their quadruple hopes alive.

The Premier League leaders travelled to the team 16th in Sky Bet League One on Saturday lunchtime as the sides met for the first time in 97 years and the Stags played in the fifth round for the first time since 1975.

Noni Madueke put much-changed Arsenal ahead late in the first half, but Nigel Clough’s Mansfield made life difficult and levelled when half-time substitute Will Evans capitalised on some shaky defending.

However, the spirited Stags’ memorable FA Cup journey and hopes of an almighty shock would be ended by the man who scored when Crystal Palace won the competition last season.

Eze found the top corner with a fierce effort shortly after his second-half introduction as the Gunners reached the quarter-finals for the first time since winning the competition in 2020 – the only trophy of Arteta’s reign to date.

“It was a great occasion,” said Arteta, who handed starts to 16-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon.

“That game exemplifies the history of the FA Cup, the difficulty of that and the beauty of that.”

Omar Marmoush at the double for Man City

Omar Marmoush scored twice as Manchester City’s second string cruised past Newcastle and into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win.

The Magpies led through Harvey Barnes’ cultured 18th-minute finish in front of watching England boss Thomas Tuchel.

Savinho, though, levelled before the break and Marmoush struck twice after it to secure a much-changed City side a 19th win in 21 attempts in the competition over the last four years.

City boss Pep Guardiola, though, is facing a two-game touchline ban after being booked for the sixth time this season after he confronted fourth official Lewis Smith on the touchline after a foul on Jeremy Doku.

“Two-game ban now and I will go on holidays the next two games. There are things after 10 years I cannot understand,” the Spaniard said.

Sarina Wiegman focuses on the positives

Sarina Wiegman admitted England wanted to score more, but was satisfied with the 2-0 victory over Iceland which made it back-to-back wins to start their Women’s World Cup qualification campaign.

Lucy Bronze celebrated going third in the all-time Lionesses appearance rankings with her 145th cap by nodding in the opener in a first half which was heavily dominated by the hosts at the City Ground.

Hannah Hampton stopped Sandra Jessen from equalising with Iceland’s only shot of the game on the hour mark before Georgia Stanway volleyed in the second 12 minutes from time to make the points safe.

“I think Iceland is a very disciplined team, lots of power, compact, and very hard to break down,” said Wiegman, whose side scored six against Ukraine.

“We created lots of big chances with very good football. We could have scored more, we obviously want that too, but the most important thing is we win the game.”

What’s on today?

The FA Cup fifth round continues with Sky Bet League One strugglers Port Vale hosting Sunderland.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke will welcome his former club Norwich to Elland Road – where he will be in the stand serving a one-match touchline ban – and Fulham take on Southampton.

There is another Old Firm derby as Rangers clash with Celtic at Ibrox in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final.

In the Sky Bet Championship, promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough head south to QPR.