FA Cup Fourth Round Draw Made As Final 32 Learn Their Opponents
The FA Cup fourth round draw produced some tasty ties as the legendary English cup competition prepares for its next stage.
The third round of the competition, which features the introduction of Premier League teams, kicked off in a huge way on Friday night when Championship Wrexham knocked out Nottingham Forest on penalties, before National League North side Macclesfield Town produced arguably the biggest upset in FA Cup history by beating holders Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Leasing.com Stadium.
Despite 117 places between the two sides, the Silkmen secured their spot in the fourth round and the lowest-ranked side remaining will be desperate for another big clash with Premier League opposition.
Seven-time winners Manchester City laid down a marker with a thumping 10-1 win over Exeter City, the biggest victory from a top-flight team in the competition since 1960.
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Arsenal, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Newcastle United, Brentford, Chelsea, Brighton, West Ham, Fulham and Leeds United all made it through to their fourth round but both Manchester United and Spurs were dumped out at home.
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Liverpool were the final Premier League side in action, hosting Barnsley at Anfield on Monday night. But they were the very first out of the hat and will take on Brighton, who knocked out United with an impressive 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The final 32 teams learned their next opposition thanks to the match-making from former England internationals Joleon Lescott and Steve McManaman who did the draw on TNT Sports with the help of Ally McCoist.
Macclesfield will be delighted to be paired up with another Premier League side as Brentford are due to come to town, while Salford City face another trip to the Manchester City for the second season on a row if they get past Swindon in the final game of the third round.
Liam Rosenior will make a return to Hull City with Chelsea, while Aston Villa vs Newcastle promises to be one of the games of the round.
FA Cup fourth round draw in full:
Liverpool or Barnsley vs Brighton
Stoke City vs Fulham
Oxford United vs Sunderland
Southampton vs Leicester City
Wrexham vs Ipswich Town
Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
Hull City vs Chelsea
Burton Albion vs West Ham
Burnley vs Mansfield Town
Norwich City vs West Brom
Port Vale vs Bristol City
Grimsby Town vs Wolves
Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Manchester City vs Salford City or Swindon
Macclesfield Town vs Brentford
Birmingham City vs Leeds United
All ties in the fourth round of the competition will be played around the weekend of Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February.
As was the case in the third round, no replays will commence and in the event of a draw, the game will go to extra time and penalties if the scores are level.
Topics: FA Cup
Josh Lawless