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'Big Four' kept apart in FA Cup draw

Roar Guru
26th January, 2009
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English football’s ‘big four’ of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal were kept apart when the draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup was made here Sunday.

Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton face a potential last 16 clash with Aston Villa after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Anfield.

But Villa, trying to break into the elite quartet, also have a fourth round replay after being held to a goalless stalemate on Saturday by Championship side Doncaster.

The winners of the replay between Midlands foes Derby and Nottingham Forest can look forward to a glamour tie at home to English, European and world champions Manchester United.

Swansea’s record for knocking out FA Cup holders Portsmouth was a home tie against another Premier League side in Fulham.

Cardiff or Arsenal, who played out a goalless draw on Sunday, face the winners of the replay between Premier League strugglers West Brom and Burnley, who knocked several top-flight sides out of the League Cup before losing in midweek in the semi-finals to Tottenham.

A guaranteed all-Premier League clash is the match between West Ham, rejuvenated under Gianfranco Zola, and Middlesbrough.

Watford face Chelsea, the club where Hornets manager Brendan Rodgers began as reserve coach, while another Championship-Premier League clash sees Sheffield United at home to Hull.

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Sunderland will be up against fellow Premier League strugglers Blackburn or Championship Coventry.

The fifth round ties will be played on the weekend of February 14-15 with fourth round replays taking place on February 3 and 4.

5th rd draw

Sheffield United v Hull

Watford v Chelsea

West Ham v Middlesbrough

Sunderland or Blackburn v Coventry

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Derby or Nottingham Forest v Manchester United

Swansea v Fulham

Liverpool or Everton v Doncaster Rovers or Aston Villa

Cardiff or Arsenal v West Brom or Burnley

Ties to be played on the weekend of Feb 14-15

Fourth round replays to be played on Feb 03-04

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