Heavyweights kept apart in FA Cup fourth round

Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and holders Chelsea all avoided each other in yesterday’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 yesterday.

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.

The draw

Norwich City vs Luton Town; Oldham Athletic vs Liverpool; Macclesfield Town vs Wigan Athletic/ Bournemouth; Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers; Hull City/Leyton Orient vs Barnsley; Middlesbrough vs Aldershot Town; Millwall vs Aston Villa; Leeds United/Birmingham City vs Tottenham Hotspur; Brighton vs Swansea City/Arsenal;

Crystal Palace/Stoke City vs Manchester City; West Ham/Manchester United vs Fulham/Blackpool; Southend/Brentford vs Chelsea; Reading vs Sheffield United; Huddersfield Town vs Leicester City; Queens Park Rangers/West Bromwich Albion vs Sheffield Wednesday/MK Dons; Bolton Wanderers/Sunderland vs Cheltenham/Everton.