FA Cup Quarter-Finals Announced

The draw for the E-on FA Cup Quarter-Finals was made this afternoon at the FA headquarters in Soho Square, London.

Article by Nick Dines

Monday 19th February 2007, 23:10

England coach Steve McClaren and his assistant Terry Venables made the draw for the last eight and managed to separate the big teams from one another.

The tie of the round pits London rivals Chelsea with Martin Jol’s Tottenham Hotspur. Both teams disposed of their opposition comfortably 4-0 in their fifth round encounters against Norwich City and Fulham respectively.

Jose Mourinho’s team are still on the hunt for complete domination in all competitions beginning with the first leg of the European Cup Last 16 fixture against FC Porto in the week, followed by the League Cup Final against Arsenal next Sunday.

Tottenham will no-doubt feel hard done by in the draw having finally impressed this year after only winning once since Boxing Day. Martin Jol’s men would have preferred a home draw due to their shocking record on the road this season.

Tottenham face the daunting trip to Stamford Bridge in the knowledge that have already defeated their rivals once this season 2-1 in the league at White Hart Lane. McClaren played particular praise to Tottenham’s display, describing their victory as a ‘great performance.’

The under pressure England coach drew his former club Middlesbrough out of the bag first and if they defeat West Bromwich Albion in their replay at The Hawthorns, they will entertain the winners of the eagerly anticipated replay between Steve Coppell’s Reading and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.

Should Arsenal negotiate a tricky Fifth Round replay at Blackburn’s Ewood Park, they will face a resurgent Manchester City at The Emirates. Stuart Pearce’s team survived a potential upset against Preston North-End, coming through 3-1 having fallen one goal behind in the first half.

Plymouth Argyle, the lowest outfit in the draw, host a much improved Watford, whose cup run has been a revelation during a previously disappointing season.

Ian Holloway’s Championship side will fancy their chances against the Premiership’s bottom team as a rejuvenated Watford have picked up form in recent weeks, improving their chances of survival. In terms of financial benefit, there’s no-doubt the lucrative Premiership will take priority over a continued cup run.

The draw increases the likelihood of one of Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal appearing in the first final at the new refurbished Wembley Stadium. There were worrying reports that Wembley wasn’t going to be handed over in time for the final in May, however, these worries have since been allayed.

The four quarter-final ties will be played on the weekend beginning March 10th as the excitement builds with teams a mere two games away from Wembley.

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