Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and holders Chelsea all avoided each other in Sunday’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 equalizer 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 on Sunday.
Liverpool, 2-1 victors against Mansfield Town, will visit third-tier Oldham Athletic.
Conference National side 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 Jan. 26 and Jan. 27.
FA Cup fourth-round draw:
‧ Norwich City v Luton Town
‧ Oldham Athletic v Liverpool
‧ Macclesfield Town v Wigan Athletic or Bournemouth
‧ Derby v Blackburn Rovers
‧ Hull City or Leyton Orient v Barnsley
‧ Middlesbrough v Aldershot
‧ Millwall v Aston Villa
‧ Leeds or Birmingham City v Tottenham Hotspur
‧ Brighton and Hove Albion v Swansea City or Arsenal
‧ Crystal Palace or Stoke City v Manchester City
‧ West Ham United or Manchester United v Fulham or Blackpool
‧ Southend or Brentford v Chelsea
‧ Reading v Sheffield United
‧ Huddersfield v Leicester City
‧ QRR or West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday or MK Dons
‧ Bolton or Sunderland v Cheltenham Town or Everton
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