Wrexham Manager Phil Parkinson Expresses Pride After FA Cup Loss to Chelsea

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Wrexham Manager Phil Parkinson Expresses Pride After FA Cup Loss to Chelsea

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Manuel Meza Cienfuegos | Last updated Mar 7, 2026 4:49 PM ET

Wrexham fell 2-4 to Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, in what was a very intense match. The Welsh club's coach, Phil Parkinson, expressed pride after the game.

"Phil, I don't know whether you're kind of proud or disappointed, a mixture of both," a TNT Sports journalist asked.

Parkinson said, "Yeah, I'm mostly proud of the boys tonight. I thought we acquitted ourselves really well. I thought it was a tight game, which is a credit to us for that."

"I thought it was a tight game, which is a credit to us for that"

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson expresses his pride after taking Chelsea to extra-time in the FA Cup fifth round.

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The Wrexham boss highlighted certain elements of the game, specifically, the pressure and discipline with which his men played.

"And yeah, I thought there are so many elements of our play we've got to be pleased with, the pressing, the work, the discipline, but also some of the football we played as well."

Wrexham's Lewis Brunt celebrates, but his goal is ruled out for offside during the Emirates FA Cup fifth round match at Stok Racecourse, Wrexham. Picture date: Saturday, March 7, 2026.Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images

Clearly, Parkinson also referenced the VAR issue, though he did so with a smile, so perhaps he doesn't place much value on it.

"I thought we carried a threat tonight, which we thought we would. And we did just come here tonight to stop Chelsea. We knew we could play, and we really did at times. And it's such a shame, really, that our first taste of VAR has gone this way because obviously."

Wrexham lost 2-4 with goals from Sam Smith (18') and Callum Doyle (78'). Chelsea's goals were scored by Josh Acheampong (82'), Alejandro Garnacho (96'), and Joao Pedro (120'). Arthur Okonkwo scored an own goal in the 40th minute. George Dobson was sent off in the 93rd minute.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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