Swansea City were yesterday handed the lure of a potential home tie against Manchester United as replays and postponements meant the draw for the sixth round of the FA Cup produced no definite pairings.
Roberto Martínez's Championship team face a replay at Premier League Fulham after their 1–1 draw at the Liberty Stadium, but victory at Craven Cottage would mean a money-spinning visit from the champions. United enjoyed a comfortable 4–1 victory at Derby yesterday, keeping them on track in four competitions. United play their game in hand in the Premier League at home to Fulham on Wednesday in a match which could yet be a preview of a sixth-round Cup encounter.
Guus Hiddink's Chelsea also have an away tie, travelling to either Blackburn Rovers or Coventry. Chelsea, who were 3–1 victors at Watford in the only tie played on Saturday to produce a positive result, won the 2007 final having defeated Blackburn Rovers after extra-time in the semi-final.
At least one all-Premier League quarter-final tie is guaranteed after Everton, in the last eight for the first time since 2002 after beating Aston Villa 3–1 yesterday, were drawn against the winners of the replay between Middlesbrough and West Ham United. Gareth Southgate's team belied their poor league form with a 1–1 draw at Upton Park.
Arsenal face last season's losing finalists, Cardiff City, tonight in their postponed fourth-round replay, with the winner taking on Burnley for the right to face either Sheffield United or Hull City, who shared a 1–1 draw at Bramall Lane, in the last eight.
With only three teams definitely through to the sixth round, an all-Championship tie between Sheffield United and either Cardiff or Burnley remains a possibility. The ties will be played on the weekend of 7-8 March.