6th January, 2013
Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and holders Chelsea all avoided each other in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round draw at Wembley, but only Chelsea and City are assured of a future in the competition.
While several of their Premier League rivals floundered in Saturday’s third-round ties, Chelsea thrashed Southampton 5-1 and now face a trip to either fourth-tier Southend United or third-division Brentford.
City, 3-0 victors over Watford, will face either Premier League rivals Stoke City or Championship side Crystal Palace.
United needed an injury-time Robin van Persie equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw at West Ham United, with either Fulham or Blackpool awaiting the winners of the replay in round four.
Second-tier Brighton and Hove Albion’s reward for eliminating Newcastle United, meanwhile, is a tie with either Swansea City or Arsenal, who drew 2-2 at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.
Fifth-division Macclesfield Town, conquerors of Championship leaders Cardiff City, could face Premier League opposition in the fourth round if Wigan Athletic come through their replay against League One Bournemouth.
Fellow Conference National representatives Luton Town will definitely face a side from the English top flight, however, having been drawn to face Norwich City after their upset win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The ties will be played on the weekend of January 26-27.
FA Cup fourth-round draw:
Norwich City v Luton Town
Oldham Athletic v Mansfield Town or Liverpool
Macclesfield Town v Wigan Athletic or Bournemouth
Derby County v Blackburn Rovers
Hull City or Leyton Orient v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Aldershot Town
Millwall v Aston Villa
Leeds United or Birmingham City v Tottenham Hotspur
Brighton and Hove Albion v Swansea City or Arsenal
Crystal Palace or Stoke City v Manchester City
West Ham United or Manchester United v Fulham or Blackpool
Southend United or Brentford v Chelsea
Reading v Sheffield United
Huddersfield Town v Leicester City
Queens Park Rangers or West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday or MK Dons
Bolton Wanderers or Sunderland v Cheltenham Town or Everton