Hammers get United in pick of third round
WEST Ham were handed the plum tie of the FA Cup third round yesterday, being drawn against Manchester United at home.
The Hammers will face Sir Alex Ferguson’s men at Upton Park on the weekend of 5 January 2013.
The tie has produced some thrilling cup drama in the recent past. In 2001 a Paolo Di Canio goal gave West Ham a shock 1-0 win at Old Trafford, yet two years later Ferguson gained revenge with a 6-0 demolition of the east Londoners.
Meanwhile Arsenal were handed a tricky draw as their number was pulled out of the hat alongside that of Swansea – just 24 hours after losing to the Welsh club 2-0 at home, on Saturday. The Gunners will travel to the Liberty Stadium, where they lost 3-2 last season.
North London rivals Tottenham will host Coventry, who beat them 3-2 in the 1987 FA Cup final.
New QPR boss Harry Redknapp – who won the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008 – will set up his side against high-flying West Brom, at Loftus Road.
And in the final all-Premier League clash, Chelsea will travel south to face Southampton.
AFC Wimbledon were yesterday knocked out of the tournament following a narrow 2-1 defeat at MK Dons – the club that was formed when the old Wimbledon were moved to Milton Keynes in 2003.
MK Dons took the lead on the stroke of half time when Stephen Gleeson belted the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. A Jack Midson header leveled the scores, but Jon Otsemobor deflected in a last minute shot to win it for the hosts.
MK Dons’ campaign will continue with a trip to Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.
THIRD ROUND: KEY TIES
Swansea v Arsenal
West Ham v Man United
Southampton v Chelsea
Tottenham v Coventry
Man City v Watford
Fulham v Blackpool
QPR v West Brom
Charlton v Huddersfield
Crystal Palace v Stoke
Millwall v Preston
Hull v Leyton Orient
Ties to be played 5 and 6 January