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How Sheffield United beat Wrexham 3-1 in FA Cup thriller to ...

How Sheffield United beat Wrexham 31 in FA Cup thriller to
Wrexham’s FA Cup adventure came to an end in agonising fashion after Sheffield United scored twice in injury-time to seal a 3-1 fourth-round replay win.Paul Mullin scored one penalty and saw another saved as the fifth-tier National League side fought ba

February 7, 2023 at 5:44 PM EST

That's all for tonight!

Thanks for following along! Come back tomorrow for our live coverage of Manchester United's match against Leeds at Old Trafford in the Premier League!

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 5:32 PM EST

Full highlights

You can watch back all the action from this thrilling match here:

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 5:28 PM EST

Parkinson fires back at Sharp

The Wrexham manager has not taken kindly to Sharp's criticism of his players following the match:

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

Strong response by Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson to BIlly Sharp's attack on his club. "I was a bit disappointed with Billy to be honest - shouting down the tunnel. I think he was disrespectful. The message to Billy is: ‘You’re better than that. Our players are humble people.’"

— Ian Herbert (@ianherbs) February 7, 2023

February 7, 2023 at 5:22 PM EST

Parkinson: 'Immensely proud of the performance'

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson spoke to ITV after the defeat: "Immensely proud of the performance over the two games but tonight in particular, coming away to a Championship team is harder.

"Obviously we are disappointed we haven't gone through but seeing how the Sheffield United players and staff celebrated at full-time is a mark of how we pushed them.

"There are so many positives for us to take into the second half of the season."

On Paul Mullin going off with an injury: "There is a lot at stake in the second part of the season. There was no way I was risking him.

"We are using the FA Cup run to enhance our promotion challenge. We wanted to put in a really good performance but also give players minutes to benefit us going forward, so I feel we came away with a lot of benefits."

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 5:20 PM EST

Heckingbottom: 'Right result in the end'

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom spoke to ITV after the match: "It was another good game. Right result in the end. I thought we were good all game against a very good team but goals change games. We were not taking our chances but as soon as we did we put the game to bed.

"It made for a really good cup tie, entertaining game and both teams went for it. We were totally on top but gave them a penalty. I thought it was outside the box but one of those things. We were always going to go for it. I think neither of us wanted extra time."

On facing Tottenham in the fifth round: "I don't know what the date is. We have some big games before then and we will approach it whenever the game is."

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 5:16 PM EST

Rob McElhenney looks to the future

Please excuse his language, but Wrexham's chief goal for this season remains the same:

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

Now let’s go win this fucking league

— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) February 7, 2023

February 7, 2023 at 5:09 PM EST

Post-match thoughts

A truly dramatic night has ended with Sheffield United through to the fifth round, courtesy of stoppage-time goals from Billy Sharp and Sander Berge.

At the end of 90 minutes, we were still all square and seemingly heading for extra time. Anel Ahmedhodzic had opened the scoring only for his strike to be cancelled out by Paul Mullin's penalty after half-time. Mullin then had a second spot kick saved by Adam Davies in a dramatic 45 minutes that really could have gone either way.

That much was illustrated in stoppage time, as Ollie Palmer had a chance for Wrexham blocked at one end before United broke forward. Billy Sharp latched on to a mistake by Max Cleworth and did what he's been doing for years at Bramall Lane and found the corner of the net. Berge then added a third, which was cruel on Wrexham.

But what a cracking two ties this has been. Credit to both teams for that. Another fantastic atmosphere tonight.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Richard Sutcliffe·

Wrexham and Sheffield United Correspondent

GO FURTHER

Sheffield United fans: Discuss the Wrexham game with our writer Richard Sutcliffe

February 7, 2023 at 5:05 PM EST

Highlights - United's two stoppage-time goals

You can see the two goals that won the match for Sheffield United here:

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 5:03 PM EST

United created more chances

Sheffield United dominated the stat sheet tonight, but that doesn't tell the whole story, as Wrexham were the better side for much of the second half and had a real chance to come away with a win here.

United's 32 shots are the most by a team in an FA Cup game this season (first round onwards).

  • Expected goals: 4.09 - 1.92
  • Shots: 32 - 9
  • Shots on target: 9 - 3
  • Chances created: 29 - 5
  • Corners: 12 - 3
  • Saves: 2 - 6
  • Possession: 65 percent - 35 per cent
Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 4:58 PM EST

Sharp: 'They thought we were just going to roll over'

Billy Sharp, scorer of the decisive goal, has spoken out about his displeasure with the Wrexham players: "I wasn't happy with some of their players tonight. We've got one over on them. Good luck to them on promotion and hopefully we've put that to bed tonight because a few of their players I wasn't happy with.

"I wasn't happy with the way they've been as a club before the game, eyeing up Spurs - they've not even beaten us. We're an honest set of lads and we want to go as far as we can in the competition. If we get beat, so be it, we'll give it a right go. I think they thought we were just going to roll over when they got back in it."

Kate Burlaga·

Staff Editor, News

February 7, 2023 at 4:53 PM EST

Final scores around the FA Cup
  • Sheffield United 3-1 Wrexham
  • Burnley 2-1 Ipswich Town
  • Grimsby Town 3-0 Luton Town
  • Fleetwood Town 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Fleetwood Town (League One) and Grimsby Town (League Two) are the only two sides remaining in the cup outside of the Premier League and Championship.

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 4:50 PM EST

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are proud of their team

Despite the brutal loss, the owners of Wrexham have nothing but praise for the effort their men put into this match:

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

So proud of these boys. And the 4000 plus away supporters who gave it all. @Wrexham_AFC

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) February 7, 2023

February 7, 2023 at 4:43 PM EST

FT: Sheffield United 3-1 Wrexham

This match was there to be won for Wrexham, but Mullin's penalty miss and ensuing injury kept United alive before they won it late.

United advance to the last 16, where they'll host Tottenham.

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 4:41 PM EST

GOAL! Berge clinches it for United!

90+6' Sheffield United 3-1 Wrexham

Wrexham are piling bodies forward, allowing United to break the other way again. McAtee slips Berge in with a lovely ball, and he finishes brilliantly over the top of Lainton.

Heartbreak for Wrexham.

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 4:39 PM EST

GOAL! Sharp surely wins it!

90+4' Sheffield United 2-1 Wrexham

A terrible error by Cleworth allows Sharp to break free on goal. Sharp cuts inside and coolly slots the ball home into the far corner.

That might be it for Wrexham's cup run.

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 4:37 PM EST

Penalty appeal for United

90+2' Sheffield United 1-1 Wrexham

United are screaming for a penalty after a powerful shot from the top of the Wrexham box hits the outstretched arm of Lee. The referee doesn't give it though.

No VAR in action tonight. If there was, that perhaps would have been given, due to how high the arm was.

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 4:34 PM EST

Injury time

90+1' Sheffield United 1-1 Wrexham

We're into six minutes of stoppage time here. If we finish normal time level, we head to an extra half hour, before potential penalties.

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 4:32 PM EST

Offside goal for United disallowed

88' Sheffield United 1-1 Wrexham

Sharp thinks he's won it after smartly turning the ball home from close range, but the flag goes up for offside. The replay shows it was the right call.

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 4:30 PM EST

Chance for Sharp!

86' Sheffield United 1-1 Wrexham

Sharp works to control a long ball over the top that plays him into the Wrexham box. He has to shoot quickly and hits a powerful effort, but it's off target from a tight angle.

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

February 7, 2023 at 4:26 PM EST

Mullin comes off

82' Sheffield United 1-1 Wrexham

Moments ago Mullin was down and receiving treatment, and now he's coming off.

Cannon also comes off, while Lee and Bickerstaff join the fray.

Wrexham have now made all five of their subs allowed in normal time.

Michael Dominski·

Live Reporter

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