Merseyside rivals handed cup clash (From Watford Observer)

Merseyside rivals handed cup clash

7:51pm Sunday 4th January 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

The fourth round of the FA Cup will feature a Merseyside derby after Liverpool and Everton were the first two balls drawn out of the hat.

Anfield will host the standout tie, a week after the pair meet at the same ground in the league, while other highlights include non-league Kettering entertaining Fulham and Arsenal travelling to Cardiff.

Nottingham Forest's reward for beating Manchester City is a trip to bitter rivals Derby while Coca-Cola League One Hartlepool, who beat Premier League Stoke, host West Ham.

Torquay, the other non-league side left in the draw, were also drawn at home with Coventry the visitors. The ties will be played on the weekend of January 24/25.

Blyth Spartans have the carrot of another Premier League side in the next round with a trip to Sunderland waiting if they can beat Blackburn on Monday night.

Manchester United will host Tottenham in a second heavyweight Premier League showdown after they beat Southampton 3-0, while non-league Histon could face a dream tie against holders Portsmouth at Fratton Park but must overcome Swansea after their match was postponed. Portsmouth will try again against Bristol City.

Another team facing a replay are Chelsea, who were held by Southend at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with the winners hosting Ipswich in round four.

Aston Villa will travel to either Cheltenham or Doncaster, the winners of Birmingham or Wolves will host Middlesbrough, Hull or Newcastle are guaranteed a League One opponent with Millwall and Crewe, and Leyton Orient will host Charlton or Norwich if they can see off Sheffield United.

Peterborough, will also fancy their chances of making round five if they win their replay against West Brom after being drawn at home to QPR or Burnley while Leicester or Crystal Palace will travel to Watford.