Sheffield United came from behind to once again avoid a Carabao Cup upset at the hands of ambitious Wrexham.
The Blades, who previously survived a scare in two FA Cup meetings with the north Wales club two seasons ago, were given a fright when Will Boyle put the visitors ahead.
However, goals from Auston Trusty, Louie Marsh, Anis Slimane, and an own goal from Lewis Brunt secured a deserved win for the Championship side.
Seb Revan pulled one back in injury time for the League One visitors, sparking a goalmouth clash between players.
The victory justified Chris Wilder’s decision to make wholesale changes. Striker Rhian Brewster, aiming to impress, was once again frustrated in front of goal.
Despite a £20m transfer from Liverpool in 2020, Brewster has not scored since October 2022 and came close with two first-half chances.
When centre-back Boyle turned home James McClean’s 30th-minute corner, it seemed Brewster’s missed chances might prove costly. McClean was the only player to survive from Saturday’s opening day win over Wycombe.
Yet Trusty powerfully headed home from a corner five minutes later, with goalline technology confirming James Jones’ failed attempt to keep it out.
United’s breakthrough came 12 minutes after the restart. Brewster’s trickery and shot led to debutant Brunt’s unfortunate own goal.
Brewster then missed a chance to score from the spot when Luke Bolton fouled Slimane, but Marsh pounced on the rebound after Brewster’s shot was saved.
Slimane added a fourth goal late on, while Revan, making his first start since moving from Aston Villa, was rewarded for his busy performance in injury time.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:
“I really enjoyed it, and I’m sure everyone of a Sheffield United persuasion did as well.
“They had to stand up to it physically and mentality, and I thought we were controlled all evening.
“We had adversity going behind to a set play, that gave them an advantage, but afterwards I thought we were excellent.
“I’m a bit disappointed Rhian didn’t stick his penalty away, all of us were willing he did, but he was outstanding again.”
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales:
“It was a tough game, we made a lot of changes so there was always going to be a disjointed feel to us because we pieced the team together with players who needed to get minutes.
“We got the first goal but their first goal should never have been allowed, how the referee hasn’t seen the block is beyond belief. We know they are clever on corners but when it’s as blatant as that I expect the officials to see it.
“If we had kept the lead until half-time it could have been a different night for us, but goals change games.
“It’s a good work out for us, we never like getting beat in any game, but we will take the lessons from it.”
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