Holders Chelsea will face Premier League opposition in the third round of the FA Cup after yesterday’s draw gave them a tricky start to their defence away to Southampton.

Last season’s runners-up Liverpool will play at either Lincoln City or Mansfield Town, two former Football League clubs now plying their trade in the minor leagues of English football.

The plum tie of the round features West Ham United at home to Manchester United – one of four all Premier League clashes.

QPR, still without a win in the Premier League after 15 matches, are at home to West Brom and Swansea host Arsenal having beaten them 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the league on Saturday.

Premier League champions Manchester City, winners of the trophy in 2011, are at home to Championship (second division) side Watford.

Tottenham Hotspur host third tier Coventry City, reviving memories of the 1987 FA Cup final won by Coventry, while Newcastle face a tough trip to Brighton.

Third round draw

Crystal Palace vs Stoke City; Brighton vs Newcastle United; Tottenham vs Coventry; Wigan vs Bournemouth; Fulham vs Blackpool; Aston Villa vs Ipswich; Charlton vs Huddersfield; Barrow vs Macclesfield/Cardiff; Barnsley vs Burnley; Manchester City vs Watford; Swansea vs Arsenal; Leicester vs Burton Albion; Millwall vs Preston;

Cheltenham/Hereford vs Everton; Derby vs Tranmere; Crawley vs Reading; Aldershot vs Rotherham/Notts County; M’Boro vs Harrogate/Hastings; Accrin-gton/Oxford vs Sheffield United; Southampton vs Chelsea; QPR vs West Brom; Peterborough vs Norwich; Lincoln/Mansfield vs Liverpool; Bolton vs Sunderland; Nottm Forest vs Oldham;

West Ham vs Man. United; Hull vs Alfreton/Leyton Orient; Blackburn vs Bristol City; Leeds vs Birmingham; Bury/Southend vs Bradford/Brentford; Luton vs Wolves; Sheffield Wednesday vs MK Dons.

Ties will take place on January 5-6.