By Gareth James
Sheffield United denied Hollywood-owned Wrexham a blockbuster FA Cup clash with Tottenham as they won their fourth-round replay 3-1 with two goals deep into added time.
The National League side’s journey under A-list actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has caught the imagination of the country and most neutrals would have been wanting them to set up a glamour showdown with Antonio Conte, Harry Kane and the like.
And for large parts of the night that looked like it was in the script when Paul Mullin’s controversial penalty had cancelled out Anel Ahmedhodzic’s opener.
Mullin has been the leading man for the Dragons over the last two seasons, but fluffed his lines when he missed a second penalty shortly after.
Wrexham and their Hollywood owners' FA Cup dream came to an end on Tuesday after the Welsh non-league club conceded two stoppage-time goals in a 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United in their fourth-round replay. https://t.co/xze06bhUwP
— Reuters Sports (@ReutersSports) February 8, 2023
And that allowed the Blades to play the role of villains as injury-time goals from Billy Sharp and Sander Berge mean it is they who play Spurs on March 1.
Following the win, United goal scorer Sharp said he was “glad” to beat the non-League side
after finding some of their players’ behaviour disrespectful.
The Blades captain told ITV: “I am glad we’ve beaten them. They are doing well in their league and we are doing well in ours but I wasn’t happy with a few of their players there. Asked what he was not happy with, he replied: “The way they’ve been as a club before the game, eyeing up Spurs before the game. They had not even beaten us.
“They thought we would just roll over when they got back in it and I think the referee was helping them as well, I don’t think he gave me one foul all night.”
Sharp did not save his talking just for the TV cameras as he also had words with Wrexham’s players and staff in the tunnel.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was disappointed with the veteran’s response at full-time.
“I am a bit disappointed with Billy to be honest with you, some of the things he was shouting down the tunnel at the end,” Parkinson said.
https://twitter.com/footballheaven/status/1623096141247127553?s=20&t=7vVXuPEeR9ZwKBuoQOHKaA
“Well done Bill, you’re a fantastic player, but I thought he was disrespectful after the game. I think the way the players celebrated and the crowd and staff was just a mark of how tough we made for them and they were relieved to get through.
“The message to Billy is: You’re better than that, you really are. My players are humble people and a great credit to the football club.”
