THE FA Cup fourth round draw has thrown up some mouth-watering fixtures!
Should Arsenal defeat Oxford on Monday night, then it is a huge trip to Manchester City – who have thrashed Chelsea 4-0.
While Manchester United will host former star Paul Ince’s Reading and Tottenham travel to Preston North End.
- FA Cup fourth round ties taking place Jan 27-30
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Follow ALL of the latest updates from the draw below…
Leboeuf calls for Potter to be sacked
Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf has called for boss Graham Potter to be sacked after just four months at the helm.
The Blues were battered 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup on Sunday.
After the game, Leboeuf said on ESPN: “Mr Potter, enough is enough now, something needs to be changed.
“That’s not the club I know. You are so far away from being a Champion of Europe.
“I’m very upset with what I see. I think it’s really disrespectful.
“They don’t do anything to at least make people proud. Fight! Go for it!”
The former defender, who played 201 times for the Blues between 1996 and 2001, claimed that he’d never seen his old side in a worse state.
He continued: “I’ve never seen Chelsea so low.
“The players don’t have the will, they don’t have the guts, they don’t have the courage to fight for their colours. They don’t have pride.”
The Apprentice
Will the apprentice meet the master in the FA Cup fourth round?
After disposing of Chelsea in a 4-0 thrashing – Man City will now face off against either Oxford United or Arsenal next.With the two Premier League sides battling it out for league supremacy, it promises to be an intriguing encounter – should it happen.
But, Oxford United will have something to say about that on Monday night.
Stevenage Coutinho taunt
Stevenage gambled by slating Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho on social media – minutes BEFORE their incredible last-gasp FA Cup giant- killing.
The League Two side taunted the ex-Liverpool and Barcelona playmaker online when he was taken off as Premier League Villa led 1-0.
Fans waded in to warn the “embarrassing tweet” could backfire – but instead Stevenage struck twice in the final three minutes to triumph 2-1.
The minnows had posted on their official account: “66′ – Philippe Coutinho comes off. The substitution took longer than usual as they had to dig him out of Luther James-Wildin’s back pocket.”
Shearer slams Blues
Alan Shearer slammed Chelsea’s lack of character after their “embarrassing” first-half display at Manchester City.
The Blues trailed 3-0 at the break in the FA Cup third-round tie thanks to goals from Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden.
He said: “From a Chelsea point of view, that is not acceptable that performance.
“I said they needed some energy, character, all of those things.
“I don’t care how many injuries you’ve got in your team, you can still go out and put a shift in. They haven’t and it’s embarrassing from their point of view.
“Going forward it’s been so bad. They’ve been nothing short of pathetic in forward positions. Where’s the movement? They’ve had nothing up front at all. Everything has been sideways or even backwards.
“They’ve got to give the fans something now, show they care about this football club, because that 45 minutes was not acceptable.”
Stewart tribute
Fans have been thrilled after spotting Karen Bardsley recreate Rod Stewart’s iconic FA Cup draw.
The former England goalkeeper was part of the FA Cup draw for the fourth round when she made the tribute to Stewart.
The singer and songwriter caught attention in 2017 during the Scottish Cup draw.
Stewart was over-enthusiastic when removing the balls from the pot and left fans in stitches.
And Bardsley had promised Steve Crossman and Nedum Onouha to pay tribute to the singer when it was her turn.
FA Cup stat
This crazy FA Cup third round has seen eight Premier League teams knocked out ALREADY.
Liverpool and Woles are set to play each other again in a replay, so that will be make nine all together when something gives there.
And don’t forget Leeds still have to play Cardiff City again too.
So far, it’s the most since 2007-08 and joint highest since 1992.
City fact
Julian Alvarez was on target for City against Chelsea in the 4-0 thumping of the Blues.
And now he has completed a phenomenal stat.
The Argie forward has now scored for Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Charity Shield.
Amazing.
City have done there bit
So, for all the purists, Man City have done their bit.
They have battered Chelsea 4-0 to set up a potential fourth round tie against Arsenal.
All the Gunners need to do is beat Oxford United on Monday.
Should be possible, but remember Arsenal slipped up against Nottingham Forest last season. Anything can happen in the cup.
What a turn up
Forget what we said about Villa.
Incredibly, Stevenage equalised in the 88th minute and won it in the 90th minute.
They will play Stoke City.
What a massive result.
Chelsea fans chant
It hasn’t been pretty watching for Chelsea fans in their game against City.
They trailed 3-0 at half-time in the first half, and are now 4-0 down.
Worse still, Blues fans are letting Potter know their thoughts.
They’ve been chanting: “We want super Tommy Tuchel” – their former sacked manager. Ouch.
Villa lead
With Aston Villa leading Stevenage, it looks like they’re setting themselves up for a cold, wet day in Stoke.
Still only 1-0, mind.
Plenty of time to change.
Looks like City v Arsenal
With Man City 3-0 up, it seems certain they’re through to next round.
Arsenal play Oxford United on Monday – and will be hot favourites.
First against second then in the fourth round.
Who is your money on?
Draw recap
Preston North End vs Tottenham
Southampton vs Blackpool
Wrexham vs Sheffield United
Ipswich Town vs Burnley
Manchester United vs Reading
Luton Town/Wigan vs Grimsby Town
Derby County vs West Ham United
Stoke City vs Aston Villa/Stevenage
Balckburn Rovers vs Forest Green Rovers/ Birmingham City
Walsall vs Leicester City
Sheffield Wednesday vs Fleetwood Town
Manchester City/Chelsea vs Oxford/Arsenal
Bristol City/Swansea City vs Chesterfield/West Brom
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Liverpool/Wolves
Fulham vs Sunderland
Boreham Wood/Accrington Stanley vs Cardiff City/Leeds United
Another new clash
Sheffield Wednesday and Fleetwood Town have been drawn together for the first time in the FA Cup.
The tie means that there will be a League One side in the fifth round of the competition.
It is the first time Fleetwood have made it to the fourth round.
Oxford’s glamorous draw
League One side Oxford United have not had the best of luck during this season’s tournament.
If they are able to overcome Premier League leaders Arsenal tomorrow, they will have to face a trip to either Manchester City or Chelsea.
Credit: Reuters
HT Manchester City 3 Chelsea 0
Pep Guardiola’s side have been clinical in the first half as they have raced into a three-goal lead.
Surely they are through to the next round and will be awaiting the result of Arsenal’s clash with Oxford to find out their next opponent.
Chelsea will be hoping for some of that FA Cup magic to come their way if they are to get back into this.
A historical fixture
West Ham will travel to Derby in the next round of the FA Cup, a fixture that has only happened in the competition once before.
That game took place a century ago, in 1923, in the Hammers’ run to the final at Wembley.
West Ham ran out 5-2 winners but eventually lost the final to Bolton Wanderers 2-0.
Manchester City 3 Chelsea 0
GOALLLL! Phil Foden.
Manchester City are in cruise control. Foden fires home from Kyle Walker’s cutback.
A big job for Chelsea now if they are to come back.
Credit: Getty A NEW fixture
For the first time in the history of the FA Cup Ipswich Town will face Burnley.
It has been 16 years since the Tractor Boys made it to the fifth round.
While Burnley has appeared there once in the last five years.
Manchester City 2 Chelsea 0
GOALLLL!!!! Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine nets from the spot to put Manchester City in control.
Kepa got a touch to the ball but it was not enough to keep it out.
The penalty was given after VAR deemed Kai Havertz to have handled the ball in the box.
Wrexham living the dream
Non-league side Wrexham will have the opportunity to reach the fifth round for the first time in 26 years when they take on Sheffield United at the Racecourse.
The two teams have faced each other once in the competition before, the Blades came out as 5-1 winners in the 1983/84 season.
Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
GOALLLLLL!!!!! Mahrez.
Riyad Mahrez has fired Manchester City ahead at the Etihad Stadium with a beautiful free-kick.
More pressure on Chelsea boss Graham Potter.
Seasiders battle
It is the seventh time Southampton have been drawn against Blackpool in the history of the competition.
The Premier League relegation battlers have won four of the six previous ties between the teams.
Blackpool were last in the 5th round 11 years ago, while the Saints have made that stage in each of the last two seasons.
Spurs fans feeling confident
Tottenham supporters are counting their lucky stars after been draw against Preston North End in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Due to the draw pairing the winner of Chelsea and Manchester City against Arsenal or Oxford at least two of the favourites will be knocked out of the tournament.
One Spurs fan said: “We have luck of draw must take FA Cup seriously.
“Best hope of a trophy while Manchester City/Chelsea vs Oxford/Woolwich Arsenal.”
Ince set for Old Trafford return
Reading manager Paul Ince will be back at his old stomping ground following their fourth-round draw against Manchester United.
Ince won the FA Cup with the Red Devils twice during his playing career.
It is also the third time in seven seasons that the two have been drawn against each other
Credit: PA
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
