6 Jan 2009

Merseyside derby the pick of fourth round FA Cup draw

2:08 pm on 6 January 2009

The draw for the fourth round of English football's FA Cup has been made and the Premier League leaders Liverpool will host Merseyside neighbours Everton while Manchester United will face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

Liverpool and Everton have met 20 times in the competition including the finals of 1986 and 1989, both of which Liverpool won.

Manchester United, who beat Southampton 3-0 in Sunday's late match, will face Spurs at Old Trafford at the fourth round stage for the second successive season.

United and Spurs are both in the semi-finals of the League Cup and could meet in the final of that competition at Wembley Stadium on March 1.

Portsmouth, who went on to win the FA Cup last season, were held to a goalless draw by Championship Bristol City and will face either minor league Histon or Swansea City of the Championship if they win the replay at Ashton Gate.

Cardiff City, last season's beaten finalists, were drawn at home to Arsenal, the club they beat in the final in 1927 when they won the FA Cup for the only time.

Chelsea, held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Southend United on Saturday, were drawn at home against Championship side Ipswich Town, if they win their replay.

Hartlepool United were rewarded for knocking out Premier League Stoke City with another home tie against Premier League opposition, this time West Ham United.

Nottingham Forest, who scored the upset of the day when they beat Premier League side Manchester City 3-0 on Saturday, were drawn against local rivals Derby County, whose former manager Billy Davies officially takes over at Forest on Monday.

There is also likely to be another all-Premier League tie between Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers, who meet minor league Blyth Spartans on Monday.

The two minor League sides definitely through to the fourth round were both handed home ties with Torquay United playing Coventry City and Kettering Town hosting Premier League Fulham.