Wrexham could face Tottenham
Wrexham have been handed the exciting prospect of a visit from Tottenham Hotspur should they overcome Sheffield United in their FA Cup fourth-round replay.
The winner of the replay were paired with Spurs in yesterday’s fifth-round draw. For Wrexham, co-owned by Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds, such a tie would represent a blockbuster fixture at the Racehourse Ground, as well as evoke memories of their famous FA Cup third-round victory over another big name from north London, Arsenal, in January 1992.
First, however, the Welsh side need to beat the Blades at Bramall Lane after their initial meeting on Sunday ended 3-3. John Egan forced the replay after scoring a late equaliser for the Championship side.
Elsewhere in yesterday’s fifth-round draw, Manchester City were handed an away tie with Bristol City, with the sides having last played each other in the Carabao Cup semi-finals in 2018.
Stoke host Brighton, who knocked out holders Liverpool with a late winner on Sunday, while Leeds travel to either Fulham or Sunderland after the teams could not be separated in an entertaining 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Southampton play the winner of the replay between Luton and Grimsby, while Ipswich or Burnley will take on Sheffield Wednesday or Fleetwood.
Meanwhile, Manchester United will play West Ham after the Hammers beat Derby County 2-0 on Monday night.
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Summary
Let’s unpack the draw a little bit. It’s not a draw for the ages in all honesty, the pick of the ties would probably be Wrexham v Tottenham, but the chances of the Welsh side beating Sheffield United at Bramall Lane remain slim.
Bristol City v Manchester City is intriguing one of Fulham or Sunderland will fancy their chances of beating Leeds.
Manchester United will play the winner of Derby County and West Ham, which is the final fourth-round fixture to be played, and kicks off in just under half an hour. I’m doing the liveblog for that game, so will head over there now. Join me, if you fancy. Cheers!
The FA Cup fifth-round draw in full
Southampton v Luton or Grimsby
Leicester City v Blackburn or Birmingham
Stoke City v Brighton
Wrexham or Sheffield United v Tottenham
Fulham or Sunderland v Leeds United
Bristol City v Manchester City
Manchester United v West Ham
Ipswich or Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday or Fleetwood Town
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That concludes the FA Cup fifth-round draw!
Ipswich or Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday or Fleetwood
Manchester United v Derby or West Ham
Bristol City v Manchester City
Fulham or Sunderland v Leeds United
Wrexham or Sheffield United v Tottenham
What a tie that could be at the Racehorse Ground. A big replay at Bramall Lane first of course.
Stoke City v Brighton
Leicester City v Blackburn or Birmingham
First tie is … Southampton v Luton or Grimsby
Nathan Jones could face his former side, Luton.
Here we go! The draw will be completed by Jenas, who never won the FA Cup, and Alex Scott, who won it seven times with Arsenal.
Here in the UK, the draw is being held on the One Show, which is a variety show that only your dad watches. Currently Ashton Kutcher is being asked about his parenting by Jermaine Jenas. The draw, thankfully, is imminent.
For anyone interested in finding out more about Lewes FC, this is an excellent interview with former Lioness Claire Rafferty, who is a director at the club.
Women’s FA Cup fifth-round draw
The Women’s FA Cup fifth-round draw is complete, and there’s an absolute blockbuster game between Chelsea and Arsenal to lead the line-up. But also watch out for Cardiff City Ladies, not to be confused with Cardiff City Women, who face Lewes.
There is one last fourth-round fixture to complete (save for the replays). I’m also liveblogging Derby v West Ham – the Tyrone Mears Derby – as absolutely nobody is billing it. Join me here after the draw.
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Preamble
If you didn’t catch Wrexham’s action-packed 3-3 draw with Sheffield United on Sunday, you really missed out. The word ‘thriller’, ‘epic’, or in this case – ‘cracker’ – can sometimes get thrown around to sell a match report but it’s hard to summarise how good this cup tie was in just a dozen words, with the Welsh underdogs going toe-to-toe with their Premier League-bound opponents.
It had a bit of everything: a talismanic scouser (in the form of Paul Mullin) tearing about the joint like a young Wayne Rooney, a last-minute equaliser, a crumbling ground full of character, full-bloodied tackles flying in, Jonathan Pearce going bananas on BBC commentary, Wrexham FA Cup legend Micky Thomas doing similar things in the stands (goodness knows where the Bootlegger is right now), a controversial red card, five second-half goals, and even a sprinkling of Hollywood dust in the form of Ryan Reynolds. Woof.
Naturally the pick of the post-match reaction belonged to the unlikely pairing of Blake Lively – who admitted to her 37 million followers that the “crippling anxiety” of the cup is very much alive – and Mullin, Wrexham’s No 10, who was a little heartbroken at his side’s result but seems ready to go again for the replay at Bramall Lane.
And so we arrive at the fifth-round draw. Some of the Premier League’s finest are out (Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle), and while Wrexham are the only non-league side left, they still have League Two’s Grimsby Town and a smattering of League One sides for company further down the English footballing pyramid.
Here are the teams (and corresponding numbers) for the draw, which will take place at 7pm GMT.
1 Tottenham Hotspur
2 Southampton
3 Wrexham or Sheffield United
4 Ipswich Town or Burnley
5 Manchester United
6 Luton Town or Grimsby Town
7 Derby County or West Ham United
8 Stoke City
9 Blackburn Rovers or Birmingham City
10 Leicester City
11 Sheffield Wednesday or Fleetwood Town
12 Manchester City
13 Bristol City
14 Brighton & Hove Albion
15 Fulham or Sunderland
16 Leeds United
Just nine Premier League teams remain. Lower-league sides will be hoping for a plum draw at Old Trafford or the Etihad, but there is also a real opportunity to go even further in his competition, if one of the bigger sides don’t come their way.