WREXHAM, Wales — Phil Parkinson said Wrexham's next goal is to make matches against Chelsea a regular occasion in the Premier League after the EFL Championship side crashed out of the FA Cup with a 4-2 fifth-round defeat against the FIFA Club World Cup winners.
Despite twice taking the lead in a thrilling draw at Stok Cae Ras, Wrexham were ultimately defeated in extra time following a 90th-minute red card for midfielder George Dobson.
But having come close to defeating Liam Rosenior's side for 90 minutes, Parkinson said Wrexham, who hold a Championship playoff spot, now want to take on the elite every week.
– Liam Rosenior admits Chelsea were 'lucky' to win FA Cup tie at Wrexham
– Chelsea end Wrexham's FA Cup run in extra time
– VAR review: Why was Dobson sent off from Wrexham for his challenge on Garnacho?
“That has to be the aim, to play against these teams,” said the Wrexham manager. “That's what you're in football for, to have nights like this. We hope to participate in important games like this.
“There is a huge gulf between the purchasing power in the Premier League and where we are in the Championship and where we have come from so quickly.
“It's been a great cup run. Tonight was a great show and we were competitive against a very good team.
“We will take a lot of positives from it. We showed a lot of good aspects of our game and played great football.
“We weren't just trying to stop Chelsea: we believe we can play.”
Wrexham have already achieved a record three consecutive promotions since actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac took charge of the team in England's fifth division five years ago. But the prize of the Premier League's elite is now closer than ever.
“It has been the goal from day one [to get into the Premier League]”Nothing really has changed about it,” Reynolds told ESPN after the game.
“It's very moving to see how energizing it is here, how these fans feel about this football club and how contagious it is, and just seeing people around the world embrace Wrexham as sometimes their second team, sometimes their only team, it's a really beautiful thing,” Reynolds said.
Dobson's red card and Lewis Brunt's extra-time goal, disallowed for offside, were decided by VAR, giving Wrexham a bitter first experience with the video referee system used in the Premier League.
“VAR is up for debate, I don't know, I think the call was f— VAR,” Mac told ESPN. “At the end of the day, the rules are the rules, and I feel like we had a great performance, and that was reflected not only on the field but also in the stadium.”
And Parkinson said those decisions made the game much more difficult for his players.
“The boys gave a lot tonight and playing extra time with 10 men is really difficult,” he said.
“I know the rule is that it has to be a clear and obvious mistake, and I think the referee has to back his judgement. [on the foul].
“Of course, when he was called on the screen, he should have received a yellow card.
“Offside is marginal, and we can't complain if that's offside, but I don't really agree with VAR sending the referee to the screen and then changing his mind.
“He saw it very well. But we'll take the positives from the night and regroup. It wasn't like that tonight, but we were close.”
