FA Cup draw throws up Merseyside derby

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CUP DRAW: Steven Gerrard will lead his Liverpool side against Everton in the FA Cup. (AFP)

Premier League leaders Liverpool will face city rivals Everton in the FA Cup after the Merseyside teams were the first two clubs selected in the fourth round draw.

The north-west giants met in the 1986 and 1989 FA Cup finals, Liverpool winning on both occasions.

"It's going to be a massive game," former Everton captain Kevin Ratcliffe told Sky Sports. "The FA Cup is one that maybe Everton thought they could go all the way in.

"Obviously this has made it a bit harder, coming up against Liverpool. It's hard enough going up against Liverpool but when you're without your main strikers then it's going to be difficult. But anything can happen."

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest's reward for knocking out Premier League Manchester City was a fourth round clash with East Midlands rivals Derby, who also play in the second-tier Championship.

It will be a particularly significant tie for former Derby boss Billy Davies who takes over as Forest's manager on Monday.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Davies said. "I've got lots of great friends and lots of great memories at Derby. But I've moved on to the next chapter at Forest and I'm excited by that challenge."

Third-tier Hartlepool, conquerors of Stoke in the third round, will have the chance to inflict further Cup misery on a Premier League side when they welcome West Ham to the north-east.

Hartlepool assistant manager Ian Butterworth said: "It's a fantastic draw for the club. If the lads can produce the performance of Saturday, and the guts and character, we'll give them one hell of a game."

Manchester United, who've won the Cup a record 11 times, will be at home to Premier League rivals Tottenham after a 3-0 win over Southampton.

"A home tie is all you can hope for, it's quite a good draw," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Kettering, one of four non-league clubs left in the draw, are at home to Premier League Fulham

"Any Premier League side is brilliant for us, especially getting them at home as well," said Kettering striker Gareth Seddon.

Cardiff, last season's losing finalists, are up against Arsenal in a repeat of the 1927 final which the Welsh club won to become the only non-English side to lift the FA Cup.

"We've got the most passionate crowd and at home we stand a chance but let's not forget Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world," Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale said.

Holders Portsmouth, who must first get past Bristol City after a goalless draw at Fratton Park, could face either non-league Histon, conquerors of fallen giants Leeds, or Swansea.

Ties will be played on the weekend of January 24-25, with third round replays due to take place on January 13.

FA Cup 4th rd draw:

Liverpool v Everton
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Hull or Newcastle v Millwall or Crewe
Sunderland v Blyth Spartans or Blackburn Rovers
Hartlepool v West Ham
Leyton Orient or Sheffield United v Charlton or Norwich
Cardiff v Arsenal
Portsmouth or Bristol City v Histon or Swansea
Chelsea or Southend v Ipswich
Cheltenham or Doncaster v Aston Villa
West Brom or Peterborough v QPR or Burnley
Torquay v Coventry
Kettering v Fulham
Watford v Leicester or Crystal Palace
Derby v Nottingham Forest
Birmingham or Wolverhampton v Middlesbrough

(Ties to be played over the weekend of Jan 24-25. Third round replays Jan 13)

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