Hollywood-backed Wrexham knock Forest out of FA Cup

4 Minutes ReadWatch on Rediff-TV Listen to Article
Share:

January 10, 2026 09:46 IST

x

Wrexham's Lewis O'Brien and teammates celebrate after the penalty shootout win against Nottingham Forest at SToK Racecourse, Wrexham, Britain, on Friday

IMAGE: Wrexham's Lewis O'Brien and teammates celebrate after the penalty shootout win against Nottingham Forest at SToK Racecourse, Wrexham, Britain, on Friday. Photograph: /Peter Powell/Reuters

Second-tier Wrexham beat Nottingham Forest on penalties after a 3-3 draw to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday, eliminating a Premier League side for the first time in 26 years in another chapter of their Hollywood story.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was the hero for the hosts, saving Forest's fifth penalty by Omari Hutchinson to ensure the win.

"It was amazing to win the game in the end. We just have to enjoy the moment," Okonkwo told TNT Sports.

 

Wrexham's Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone scored in quick succession in the first half, and the home side looked headed for victory with a 3-1 lead in a breathless second half before Callum Hudson-Odoi struck in the 76th and 89th minutes.

Forest boss Sean Dyche had selected a virtual reserve team with eight changes from Tuesday's Premier League win over West Ham United.

But he sent on reinforcements in Neco Williams, Nicolas Dominguez, and Morgan Gibbs-White for the second half, and it paid off as Igor Jesus pulled one back in the 64th minute, nodding in a cross off the post.

Dominic Hyam restored Wrexham's two-goal advantage when he dove to head home a free kick in the 74th minute before Hudson-Odoi's heroics.

But Wrexham prevailed in the shootout after extra time ended without a goal and the victory was another highlight for a team that has climbed from non-league football to the second tier in three seasons under the ownership of Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Canadian Reynolds was at Friday's game.

"The lads rallied themselves, and there were a lot of tired legs on both teams. Credit to both sides for putting on such a good game after such a busy Christmas schedule," Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson said.

An angry Dyche gave a scathing review of his starters.

"The first half was completely unacceptable," he told TNT. "I let the players know this. Certain individuals certainly know. They will have to look in the mirror.

"But, the strangeness of football, the players who came on in the second half I think were a credit. We went on and looked like a Premier League side.

"But you can't do that in the first half. It's one of them, they all knock on your door and say, 'Why aren't I playing?' Well, the evidence was quite honestly there for some, not for all."

Championship side Oxford United beat League Two's MK Dons on penalties after their match ended 1-1, while a couple of League One teams moved on, with Wigan Athletic beating Championship side Preston North End 1-0, and Port Vale defeating League Two's Fleetwood Town 1-0.

Holders Crystal Palace head to non-league Macclesfield Town, the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition, in one of the 18 games on Saturday.

Dortmund grab last-gasp equaliser for 3-3 draw at Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt's Arnaud Kalimuendo in action with Borussia Dortmund's Waldemar Anton during their Bundesliga match at Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany on Friday

IMAGE: Eintracht Frankfurt's Arnaud Kalimuendo in action with Borussia Dortmund's Waldemar Anton during their Bundesliga match at Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany on Friday. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

Visitors Borussia Dortmund twice squandered a one-goal lead but struck deep in stoppage time through Carney Chukwuemeka to rescue a 3-3 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday as the Bundesliga resumed following a three-week winter break.

While heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures in other parts of the country forced the postponement of matches, Frankfurt and Dortmund provided quick-paced entertainment and late drama on a cold but snow-free evening.

Chukwuemeka's goal came minutes after Frankfurt had gone 3-2 up through Mo Dahoud, also in stoppage time.

Dortmund are in second place on 33 points, with leaders Bayern Munich, on 41, in action against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday.

Dortmund's Maximilian Beier completed a quick break, tapping in Julian Ryerson's low cross for a 10th-minute lead with the visitors having enjoyed a strong start.

The hosts fought their way back into the game and levelled with a 22nd-minute penalty from Can Uzun, awarded for a clumsy challenge by Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy in the box.

It was a similar story after the break with Dortmund taking control once more and going back in front in the 68th with Felix Nmecha's deflected low shot that went in off the post.

However, it only lasted for three minutes after Frankfurt caught the Dortmund defence napping and Younes Ebnoutalib slipped through to level with a powerful finish. Dortmund piled on late pressure and Nico Schlotterbeck rattled the crossbar before Dahoud fired Frankfurt into the lead in stoppage time.

Dortmund, however, still had time to bag the equaliser through Chukwuemeka to rescue a point.

Share: