Planet Sport

The fourth round of the FA Cup will feature a Merseyside derby after Liverpool and Everton were drawn together.

The fourth round of the FA Cup will feature a Merseyside derby after Liverpool and Everton were the first two balls drawn out of the hat.

Anfield will host the standout tie, a week after the pair meet at the same ground in the league, while other highlights include non-league Kettering entertaining Fulham and Arsenal travelling to Cardiff.

Nottingham Forest's reward for beating Manchester City yesterday is a trip to bitter rivals Derby while Coca-Cola League One Hartlepool, who beat Premier League Stoke, host West Ham.

Torquay, the other non-league side left in the draw, were also drawn at home with Coventry the visitors.

The ties will be played on the weekend of January 24/25.

Blyth Spartans have the carrot of another Premier League side in the next round with a trip to Sunderland waiting if they can beat Blackburn tomorrow night.

A second heavyweight Premier League clash is on the cards with Manchester United knowing they will host Tottenham if Sir Alex Ferguson's side defeat Southampton this afternoon.

Non-league Histon, who beat Leeds in round two, could face a dream tie against holders Portsmouth at Fratton Park but the Blue Square Premier side must beat Swansea after their match was postponed yesterday while Portsmouth will try again against Bristol City.

Another team facing a replay are Chelsea, who were held by Southend at Stamford Bridge yesterday, with the winners hosting Ipswich in round four.

Aston Villa struggled to a 2-1 win over Gillingham today and another tricky away tie is on the cards with Cheltenham or Doncaster - who beat Villa in the League Cup in 2005 - lying in wait.

The eagerly-awaited derby between Birmingham and Wolves was a victim of the weather yesterday but the winners now know they will host Middlesbrough, who knocked out non-league Barrow, in round four.

Hull or Newcastle, who face a replay, are guaranteed a League One opponent with Millwall and Crewe also having to try again while Leyton Orient will host Charlton or Norwich if they can see off Sheffield United.

Another League One side, Peterborough, will also fancy their chances of making round five if they win their replay against West Brom after being drawn at home to QPR or Burnley while Leicester or Crystal Palace will travel to Watford.

Hartlepool assistant manager Ian Butterworth is optimistic about the League One side's chances of causing another upset at Victoria Park.

He told Sky Sports: "It's a fantastic draw for the club. We're at home, pitting our wits against a Premier League side and if the lads can produce the performance of yesterday, and the guts and character, we'll give them one hell of a game.

"The place will be full. We had to put up with the direct approach from Stoke but West Ham will play a little bit more on the deck so that will throw another challenge to us but the attitude of the players is first class so we'll be ready for them."

Kettering striker Gareth Seddon, who scored in yesterday's 2-1 victory over fellow non-leaguers Eastwood Town, is eyeing a money-spinning replay from their tie with Fulham.

"Any Premier League side is brilliant for us, especially getting them here as well," he said. "I think we've got a good chance; you never know, especially with the crowd behind us.

"They've got to expect a tough game and a hostile atmosphere. Maybe get a draw here, take them back to Fulham."

Torquay manager Paul Buckle admitted Coventry was not the dream tie he had hoped for, but he insisted: "It's a good draw.

"We've proved we can beat a Championship side. Our hearts stopped when the Premier League sides came out but Coventry are a massive side so if we get Plainmoor packed, we'll have a chance."

Billy Davies does not take officially take charge of Nottingham Forest until tomorrow and already he has the prospect of a clash with Derby, who he guided to promotion from the Championship two seasons ago, to focus on.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted. It's a fantastic game for the fans, a fantastic game for the club and I'm very much looking forward to it.

"I've got lots of great friends and lots of great memories at Derby. But I've moved on to the next chapter at Forest and I'm excited by that challenge."

Looking ahead to the Merseyside derby, former Everton defender Kevin Ratcliffe admitted it was not the draw the Toffees would have been hoping for.

"It's going to be a massive game," he said. "The FA Cup is one that maybe Everton thought they could go all the way in.

"Obviously this has made it a bit harder, coming up against Liverpool. It's hard enough going up against Liverpool but when you're without your main strikers then it's going to be difficult. But anything can happen."

The match comes in a big week for Liverpool with the league game followed by captain Steven Gerrard's court date after he was charged with assault and affray.

Cardiff's hopes of repeating last season's run to the final look slim after they were drawn against Arsenal, but chairman Peter Ridsdale is hopeful the Ninian Park crowd can help them make the headlines again.

He said: "Clearly this is an amazing draw for us. I think in the FA Cup the glamour is all about playing the top teams, and particularly when you aspire to get promoted, you've got to pit your wits against the top teams.

"The other strange thing about it is we played Arsenal in their last season at Highbury and this is our last season at Ninian Park.

"We always fancy our chances at Ninian Park. I was at the opposite end of Cardiff beating Leeds when we were then top of the Premiership and I was the chairman of Leeds.

"I know what can happen at Ninian Park. We've got the most passionate crowd and at home we stand a chance but let's not forget Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world."