Wrexham to face Chelsea in FA Cup fifth round
Wrexham will host Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup, marking a momentous occasion as it will be the Welsh club’s first appearance at this stage of the competition since 1997, reports BritPanorama.
Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham, expressed his excitement during the draw, initially anxious before exclaiming “Wait, wait we’re at home?” when he discovered the outcome. Fellow actor Hugh Jackman shared in the joy, with both men visibly excited and celebrating the news.
The match will provide Wrexham with an opportunity to disrupt the Premier League giants, especially after their impressive run in the tournament. In previous rounds, they defeated Nottingham Forest in a thrilling 3-3 draw that ultimately lead to a penalty shootout victory, followed by a straightforward 1-0 win over Ipswich.
Winning against Chelsea, an eight-time FA Cup champion, would propel Wrexham within one match of a Wembley semi-final appearance. Despite their recent 2-0 defeat to Millwall, this cup tie presents a chance for the club to prove their mettle against top-flight opposition.
Wrexham’s success since Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took ownership five years ago cannot be understated; the club has achieved three consecutive promotions and currently sits just outside the play-off places in the Championship. Wrexham’s manager, Phil Parkinson, has prior experience of upsetting Chelsea in the FA Cup, having led Bradford to a stunning 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge during the 2014/15 season.
Chelsea heads into the fixture with confidence, having secured a comprehensive 4-0 win over Hull in their last outing. Prior to the Wrexham match, they will face Burnley and subsequent fixtures against Arsenal and Aston Villa.
The upcoming clash serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the FA Cup, where smaller clubs have the chance to shine against more established teams. For Wrexham, hopes will be high that they can write another chapter of cup history.
