Gerrard's court date sandwiched by Mersey derbies

Matt Gatward
Monday 05 January 2009 01:00 GMT
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The week starting 19 January promises to be an interesting one for a certain Steven Gerrard both on and off the football field.

The Liverpool captain's seven days begin with one Merseyside derby – in the League on the Monday night – and will conclude with another, in the FA Cup fourth round at Anfield following yesterday's draw. Of equal interest, however, will be Gerrard's court date after he was charged with assault and affray following a disturbance at a Southport nightclub, which falls on the Thursday between the two matches.

Liverpool were first out of the hat yesterday and to give the draw a juicy opener were followed by Everton but that tie was followed by another cracker as Manchester United, victors over Southampton yesterday, were drawn to play Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Redknapp, attempting to retain the trophy he won last year with Portsmouth, will hope to repeat his trick of knocking United out of the Cup, a feat he has managed in the past with Bournemouth, West Ham United and Pompey last season.

Other highlights from yesterday's draw include non-league Kettering entertaining Fulham and Arsenal travelling to Cardiff. Nottingham Forest's reward for beating Manchester City on Saturday is a trip to local rivals Derby County while League One's Hartlepool, who beat Stoke City, host West Ham. Torquay, the other non-league side through to the fourth round, were also drawn at home with Coventry City the visitors.

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 Rovers tonight. Non-league Histon, who beat Leeds United in round two, could face a dream tie against Portsmouth at Fratton Park but the Blue Square Premier side must beat Swansea City after their match was postponed at the weekend while Portsmouth will try again against Bristol City. Another team facing a replay are Chelsea, who were held by Southend at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with the winners hosting Ipswich in round four.

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

The derby between Birmingham and Wolves was a victim of the weather 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.

FA Cup fourth round

Draw details

*Liverpool v Everton, Manchester United v Tottenham, Hull/Newcastle v Millwall/Crewe, Sunderland v Blyth Spartans/Blackburn, Hartlepool v West Ham, Leyton Orient/Sheffield United v Charlton/Norwich, Cardiff v Arsenal, Portsmouth/Bristol City v Histon/Swansea, Chelsea/Southend v Ipswich, Cheltenham/Doncaster v Aston Villa, West Brom/Peterborough v QPR/Burnley, Torquay v Coventry, Kettering v Fulham, Watford v Leicester City/Crystal Palace, Derby v Nottm Forest, Birmingham/Wolves v Middlesbrough.

Ties to be played 23-26 January.

*REMAINING THIRD ROUND GAMES

Tonight Blyth Spartans v Blackburn

Tues 13 Jan Birmingham v Wolves,

Cheltenham v Doncaster, Histon v Swansea, Leyton Orient v Sheffield Utd

*THIRD ROUND REPLAYS

Tues 13 Jan Bristol City v Portsmouth, Burnley v QPR, Crewe v Millwall, Crystal Palace v Leicester, Norwich v Charlton, Peterborough v West Brom

Wed 14 Jan Newcastle United v Hull City, Southend United v Chelsea

Mersey Meetings: Previous FA Cup derbies

*Liverpool and Everton have met 20 times in the FA Cup, with the Reds in front.

P20, Liverpool nine wins Everton six wins; five draws

*10 May 1986 (final) Liverpool 3 (Rush 2, Johnston) Everton 1 (Lineker)

The Reds completed the double in Kenny Dalglish's first year in charge. Gary Lineker put the Toffees ahead before an Ian Rush brace secured the trophy.

*20 May 1989 (final) Liverpool 3 (Aldridge, Rush 2) Everton 2 (McCall 2) [aet]

Anfield side prevailed in the shadow of the Hillsborough tragedy. Reds went on to lose out on the title the next week.

*20 February 1991 (Fifth round replay) Everton 4 (Sharp 2, Cottee 2) Liverpool 4 (Beardsley 2, Rush, Barnes) [aet]

Tony Cottee twice rescued Everton in eight-goal thriller at Goodison Park.

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