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Football Insider

Liam Rosenior praises 'magnificent and brave' Wrexham but insists decisive VAR calls on red card and disallowed goal were 'correct'

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior was full of respect for Wrexham after the Blues survived a massive FA Cup scare at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday. The night was defined by high drama, including a red card and a disallowed goal that required significant VAR intervention to decide the final outcome of this pulsating encounter.

Liam Rosenior praises 'magnificent and brave' Wrexham but insists decisive VAR calls on red card and disallowed goal were 'correct'

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior was full of respect for Wrexham after the Blues survived a massive FA Cup scare at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday. Despite the gulf in divisions, the Premier League giants were forced into extra-time by the Championship promotion chasers, eventually securing a 4-2 victory thanks to late strikes from Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro. The night was defined by high drama, including a red card and a disallowed goal that required significant VAR intervention to decide the final outcome of this pulsating encounter.Speaking after the final whistle, the Chelsea boss did not hold back in his assessment of a pulsating FA Cup tie that saw Wrexham twice take the lead through Sam Smith and Callum Doyle. The Premier League giants needed a late Josh Acheampong strike to force the game into extra-time, especially after Pedro Neto agonisingly hit the crossbar in the dying moments of normal time.Rosenior stated: "That's every reason why the FA Cup is what it is. I think they were magnificent. Magnificent in their energy, and how brave they were in the press, and how they played. Then we had to be at a high, high level. We were pushed all the way by very good team. You've got to show character as well. "Asked about his team's inability to take control of the game earlier, he said: "We have control, and we need to find a way to get the game managed better. But in these cup ties, when there's emotion, you can feel the emotion of the game. They're very difficult games to play in. We won't be the only team in the Premier League in this round to find it difficult against lower-level opposition. We need to find a way. But also, what's that? I think 15 games, 10 wins now. It's not a bad place to be. So we just need to keep working. We need to recover. We've got a big game on Wednesday. We need to start preparing for that."The match swung on two pivotal moments involving VAR, starting with George Dobson’s dismissal in the 93rd minute. The Wrexham midfielder was initially shown a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Alejandro Garnacho, but referee Peter Bankes upgraded it to a red following a pitchside monitor review. Shortly after, Wrexham thought they had equalised with six minutes left in extra time, only for VAR to rule that Chris Brunt was fractionally offside when he turned the ball in at the far post. Rosenior remained firm on the calls, saying: "They're both correct decisions from me. I know it's frustrating. Any challenge that's dangerous is a dangerous challenge, and if you're offside, you're offside. It doesn't matter how small the margins are. We needed elements of luck today because Wrexham were that good in terms of their performance." He added: "We won't be the only team in the Premier League in this round to find it difficult against lower-level opposition."Alejandro Garnacho was a standout, scoring in extra-time despite playing 90 minutes earlier in the week. Rosenior praised him, stating: "Ale is in a great place. His goals, his energy levels for 120 minutes were magnificent." The manager also defended making nine changes to his XI: "That's a risk that you take by rotating, but it's also the trust I have in the group to make sure we win games and get the squad in the best possible shape." Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingWith a Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain looming, Rosenior dismissed fitness concerns after the 120-minute battle. "No, I don't think it will be because of the way that we are rotating," he insisted. He also welcomed back Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, who both played 60 minutes. On Lavia's return from a four-month injury, he added: "He's a top player. But you can't expect perfection for a player who's been out for four months."

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Liam Rosenior's Recognition of Wrexham's Performance

During an interview after the intense FA Cup clash, Rosenior commended Wrexham for their impressive display, highlighting their energy, bravery in pressing, and overall quality on the pitch. He acknowledged the challenge his team faced and emphasized the importance of demonstrating character in such competitive matches.

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Challenges Faced by Chelsea and Evaluating Performance

Reflecting on the match, Rosenior admitted that there were difficulties in controlling the game earlier and managing it effectively. He recognized the emotional aspect of cup ties and the challenges posed by lower-league opponents. Despite the struggles, he mentioned Chelsea's strong track record of wins and emphasized the need for continuous improvement and preparation for upcoming fixtures.

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Influence of VAR Decisions on the Match Outcome

The match took a significant turn due to VAR interventions, particularly regarding the red card shown to George Dobson and the disallowed goal scored by Wrexham. Rosenior defended the VAR decisions, stressing the importance of safety in challenges and respecting offside rulings, even if by narrow margins. He acknowledged the element of luck needed in the game and praised Wrexham's performance.

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Player Performances and Squad Rotation

Rosenior highlighted the standout performance of Alejandro Garnacho, who scored despite enduring a demanding schedule. The coach expressed confidence in his squad's rotation strategy and the trust placed in the players to deliver results. He also welcomed the return of key players, including Romeo Lavia, after a lengthy injury layoff.

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Looking Ahead and Managing Fitness for Future Fixtures

With a crucial Champions League encounter approaching, Rosenior dismissed concerns about player fatigue following the grueling FA Cup tie. He stressed the importance of rotating the squad efficiently to maintain peak fitness levels. The coach remains optimistic about the team's prospects and the depth of talent within the squad.

Published on Mar 7, 2026