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    Reading get tough Cup task

    `HARDEST TIE': Manager Steve Coppell was unhappy with what he called the hardest tie, while Chelsea got what seemed to be an easy draw against Blackpool or Norwich

    AFP, LONDON
    Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007, Page 18

    Reading manager Steve Coppell believes his side have got the FA Cup tie "nobody wanted" after being drawn away to Premiership leaders Manchester United in the fifth round on Monday.

    Former England winger Coppell, an FA Cup winner as a player with United back in 1977, said: "Nobody wants to be drawn away to Manchester United. It's the draw everyone would say is the hardest."

    "When it comes around it will be a great occasion for this club against arguably the best team in the Premiership at the moment," he added.

    Reading, in their first season in England's top division, drew 1-1 at home to United in September before losing 3-2 at Old Trafford last month.

    Fulham will host London rivals Tottenham in the fifth round of the FA Cup after the Premiership clubs were drawn against one another on Monday.

    Tomasz Radzinksi, who scored in Fulham's 3-0 fourth round win over Stoke, said he was excited about the prospect of playing in what is set to be the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium.

    "There are only 16 teams left, so the serious cup business begins now," said the Canada international. "The manager [Chris Coleman] put his strongest team on the field against Stoke because he wants to go further in this cup.

    "Speaking to the guys during the warm-down, they all said that anything can happen in the last 16," Radzinski said. "It would be great to play at Wembley. I've never had the chance and now we have an opportunity to play in this fantastic new stadium."

    Elsewhere Chelsea will welcome either Blackpool or Norwich City to Stamford Bridge.

    The winners of the fourth round replay between Arsenal and Bolton will face another Premiership club in Blackburn.

    Meanwhile, Championship side Preston North End are at home to fellow north-west team Manchester City -- a club Preston boss Paul Simpson represented as a player.

    Premiership basement club Watford have been drawn at home to Championship side Ipswich, the 1978 FA Cup winners, while West Brom's reward for seeing off arch-rivals Wolves is a trip to either Middlesbrough or Bristol City.

    The other fifth round clash guarantees at least one Championship side will make it into the quarter-finals with Plymouth at home to Derby.
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