Wrexham accused of ´eyeing up Spurs´ as Hollywood cup run ends at Sheffield United

Wrexham and their Hollywood owners will not get a blockbuster Premier League tie in this season’s FA Cup after falling agonisingly short of the fifth round and a meeting with Tottenham.

The National League side, backed by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, would have faced Spurs had they won a replay against Sheffield United on Tuesday following a 3-3 draw in the original tie.

But Premier League hopefuls United delighted in dumping Wrexham out of the competition after a pair of late goals secured a 3-1 home win at Bramall Lane.

Wrexham had threatened to turn another gripping encounter on its head when Paul Mullin cancelled Anel Ahmedhodzic’s opener from the penalty spot and then stepped up to take a second spot-kick, having earned both himself.

Blades goalkeeper Adam Davies brilliantly saved the second penalty, however, and the Championship side settled the tie on the counter-attack in the closing stages as Billy Sharp scored in the 94th minute and Sander Berge added a clincher in the 96th.

Sharp was particularly enthused by his role in eliminating Wrexham, having been frustrated by the underdogs’ attitude to facing United, as he explained afterwards.

“It was a great cup tie over the two games,” Sharp told ITV Sport. “[Wrexham] played excellent. I think they’ve been disrespectful, though.

“There were a few things before the game, thinking they were already through. I’m glad we’ve beat them.

https://t.co/vhmG9muWZo pic.twitter.com/naB9NCLvku

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) February 7, 2023

“They’re doing well in their league, we’re doing well in ours. I wasn’t happy with a few of their players tonight, but we’ve got one over on them. Good luck to them for promotion.

“Hopefully we’ve put that one to bed now, because a few of their players I wasn’t happy with.

“I was a little bit frustrated at the end – I probably should have put the game to bed before I did, but it’s one of those things. I wanted to win and wanted to get through to the next round.”

Asked to expand on his comments, Sharp added of Wrexham: “I wasn’t happy with the way they’ve been as a club. Before the game, they were eyeing up Spurs and they’ve not even beaten us.

“We’re an honest set of lads and we want to go as far as we can in this competition. If we get beat in the next round, so be it. We’ll give it a right go.

“I think they thought we were just going to roll over when they get back in it. I think the referee was helping them all night, as well. I don’t think he gave me one foul all night tonight, but it’s one of those things.

“I’ve probably lost my head a little bit, but I’ve got a smile on my face because we’ve got through to the next round of the cup and the boys deserve it.”

Deadpool star Reynolds wrote on Twitter: “So proud of these boys. And the 4,000 plus away supporters who gave it all.”

McElhenney, the creator of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, added: “I could not be more proud of those men than I am right now. They gave it absolutely everything.”

The owners would have been concerned by the sight of star striker Mullin hobbling off injured, but McElhenney said in a second post: “Now let’s go win this f***ing league.”