Sunday, 4 December 2011


Manchester City to face Manchester United in FA Cup third round


Holders Manchester City have been drawn against city rivals Manchester United in the standout tie of the third round of the FA Cup.

The teams will face each other at the Etihad Stadium for the first time since Manchester City's 6-1 demolition at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Roberto Mancini's side are defending the trophy they won last season after a 1-0 victory against Stoke City in the final.

Elsewhere, Arsenal will face Leeds United at the Emirates in the third round for the second year running. 

Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey has already tweeted his reaction to the draw saying: "Just watched the FA cup draw. Nice to have a home draw but won't be easy against Leeds."

Chelsea face Portsmouth in a re-match of the 2010 Final which saw the Blues lift the trophy after Drogba's winner at Wembley.

Liverpool face a home tie - their first in domestic cup competition this season - against the winners of Southend and Oldham's second round clash.

Their Merseyside rivals Everton are at home to Conference National side Tamworth.

Tottenham host Cheltenham at home while Aston Villa face a trip to Bristol Rovers who today beat non-league AFC Totton to secure their place in the draw.

Newcastle United will host Steve Kean's struggling Blackburn Rovers in the only all Premier League tie.

Last year's losing finalists Stoke begin their cup run with a tie away to Gillingham, while fellow European competitors Fulham entertain Charlton Athletic.

Premier League strugglers Wigan face a tricky tie at Swindon, Bolton will travel to either Chesterfield or Macclesfield and Wolves face a Midlands derby against Birmingham.

There are also tough games for the promoted sides as QPR travel to MK Dons, Norwich host Burnley at Carrow Road and Swansea visit Barnsley.


FA CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW IN FULL (JAN 7-8)*

Middlesbrough v Shrewsbury 
Nottingham Forest v Leicester City 
Manchester City v Manchester United
Dagenham & Redbridge/Walsall v Millwall
Doncaster v Sutton Utd/Notts County
Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa
Tottenham v Cheltenham Town
Sheffield Wednesday v West Ham
Milton Keynes Dons v QPR
Hull City v Ipswich Town
Coventry v Southampton
Brighton v Wrexham
Fulham v Charlton Athletic
Birmingham v Wolves
Norwich v Burnley
Arsenal v Leeds United
Derby v Crystal Palace
Fleetwood/Yeovil v Blackpool
Swindon v Wigan
Barnsley v Swansea
Chelmsford/Macclesfield v Bolton
Newcastle v Blackburn
Everton v Tamworth
Sheffield United v Salisbury City/Grimsby
Liverpool v Southend/Oldham
Gillingham v Stoke
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Watford v Bradford
Peterborough v Sunderland
West Brom v Cardiff
Reading v Stevenage