Chelsea 2-2 Wrexham: Ugochukwu rescues Blues from defeat as Okonkwo defends his place in Super Eagles

New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was minutes away from tasting his first defeat at the club before Lesley Ugochukwu scored to help his side draw 2-2 against Wrexham. Own goal Nigeria.com reports.

Maresca fielded two different teams for each half of the game and was pleased to see his side go into the break 1-0 up thanks to a Christopher Nkunku goal, but just over ten minutes after the break, Wrexham turned the score around.

Luke Bolton levelled for his side in the 58th minute, before Jack Marriott gave them the lead in the 71st minute. Chelsea found it difficult to break through until the end of the game, with Arthur Okonkwo standing firm in the Wrexham goal.

Okonkwo, who joined the team on a permanent deal after his contract with Arsenal expired, made save after save to deny the Blues a goal. He is said to be in the crosshairs of the Nigerian national team coaches and his saves stood him in good stead.

He was substituted in the 62nd minute and eight minutes from time Chelsea equalised thanks to Ugochukwu. The Nigerian, who was recently ruled out of the French under-23 squad for the Olympics, is still eligible to play for Nigeria’s senior team.

The same goes for Carney Chukwuemeka, who was also at Chelsea and gave himself a great opportunity to break into the new manager’s team.

Mohamed Mowiz Suleiman