By JOHN BOSCHINI
Headlines in England following the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup will be centered on the Liverpool vs. Manchester United battle and a possible QPR vs. Chelsea meeting, as rematches of racism-marred Premier League games take center stage. For American fans, though, there's a much more tasty fixture to be found.
Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton will welcome red-hot Clint Dempsey and Fulham to Goodison Park, marking the first time that all three will have shared a field since the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. Donovan has impressed in the early stages of his second loan deal, while Dempsey continues his tear following a hat trick in Fulham's third-round victory.
Manchester United will take on Liverpool as one of the most intense rivalries in all of Europe writes a new, touchy chapter. Tensions between the two camps have risen dramatically following Liverpool's fierce defense of Luis Suarez after the striker was banned eight games for racially abusing Patrice Evra. Suarez will miss the game due to the suspension, but there is likely to be a heated atmosphere at Anfield regardless.
Racism will also be front and center should QPR advance from its third-round replay to face Chelsea in the fourth round. John Terry was criminally charged with racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in the two side's league fixture back in October, and he has his court date set for just days after the would-be rematch.
There could be as many as six games between Premier League sides should Arsenal beat Leeds in Monday's final third-round game and Bolton and QPR advance from their third-round replays. The full draw is after the jump:
FA CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW (all games played on the weekend of Jan. 28)
Arsenal/Leeds vs. Aston Villa
Blackpool vs. Sheffield Wednesday
Brighton/Wrexham vs. Newcastle United
Dagenham & Redbridge/Milwall vs. Southampton
Derby County vs. Stoke City
Everton vs. Fulham
Hull City vs. Crawley Town
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
Macclesfield Town/Bolton vs. Swansea City
Milton Keynes Dons/Queens Park Rangers vs. Chelsea
Nottingham Forest/Leicester vs. Swindon Town
Sheffield United vs. Birmingham/Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stevenage vs. Notts County
Sunderland vs. Middlesborough
Watford vs. Tottenham Hotspur
West Brom vs. Norwich City
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What do you think of the draw? Excited to see Dempsey go up against Donovan? What do you make of the Liverpool-Man U and potential QPR-Chelsea meetings?
Share your thoughts below.
hahaha +1
as long as Timmy Chandler isn’t there to shred their ACLs, everything will be A-OK
I hope Dempsey calls Donovan a cracker and Donovan calls Dempsey a honkey during the match.
I think you may have missed something….
Yes. Cause they’d rather have Liverpool and United in the fourth round than say, the Semis. It’s amazing. When United draws a minnow, the fix must be in. When they draw a big four, the fix must be in. Strange chap, that Sir Alex.
How is this a cake walk? they took care of City and now they have to take care of Liverpool
I hope it’s 3-3 tie with Dempsey scoring two and Donovan one. Then if Tim Howard and Everton win in pk’s that would be awesome. (But Dempsey should make his pk though)
I was just dreaming there for a bit…..
Yes, they were hoping they capture the tens of millions of Americans who would tune into the game.
But why would they fix the FOURTH ROUND of the FA Cup? C’mon.
Indeed, hopefully FSC comes through. When was the last time Donovan/Dempsey played against each other? MLS more than 5 years ago, obviously, but I’m curious to know how many times it’s happened.
why does it have to be sarcasm? If it wasn’t done on live tv it can easily be fixed
First Man City and now Liverpool and it’s not even the quarterfinals. Manchester United with such cake walk draws…it will be a minor miracle if they win this years FA Cup. Still have Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea if they get past Liverpool.
This is sarcasm, right?
Does the FA think that putting a picture of ping-pong balls on its front webpage is convincing anybody that these matchups were drawn randomly rather than hand selected??
I mean, just RANDDOMLY Liverpool draws ManU? And Chelsea draws QPR? And the Americans play each other? And Arsenal draws Villa? Meanwhile something called Stevenage is playing Notts County, and something called Dagenham & Redbridge would play Southampton, all completely RANDOMLY? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
Let’s go Saints!
I hope they televise it here Stateside.