Read the full report on the draw here:
So, Everton v Chelsea is the obvious stand-out, while Alan Pardew returns to Reading for a tie both teams will be reasonably pleased with. If they can book their places in the last eight, Arsenal and Manchester United will both be at home, although Watford and West Ham will be challenging opponents. That’s your lot from me – here are the match reports from today’s action. Cheerio.
The quarter-final draw in full:
Reading v Crystal Palace
Everton v Chelsea
Arsenal or Hull City v Watford
Shrewsbury or Manchester United v West Ham
Ties will take place between 11-14 March.
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Shrewsbury or Manchester United v West Ham
Arsenal or Hull City v Watford
Everton v Chelsea
Reading v Crystal Palace
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It's draw time!
Mark Chapman is at Stamford Bridge for the draw, which will be conducted by 90s sticker album legends, Graeme Le Saux and Trevor Sinclair.
The draw is just a few moments away. Until then, here’s Daniel Taylor’s match report from Stamford Bridge:
No8: Everton
Last but not least, it’s Everton, another Premier League side whose best chance of glory this season lies in this competition. The Toffees beat Bournemouth yesterday, following up victories – and clean sheets – against Dagenham & Redbridge and Carlisle; they’ve had a relatively straightforward draw thus far in their quest for a sixth FA Cup, and a first since 1995.
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No7: Arsenal or Hull City
Arsenal are still on for the three-peat, a feat not seen in the FA Cup since Blackburn, back in the 19th century. They will have to negotiate a tricky replay with Hull, 2014 finalists and Championship leaders, after the goalless draw at the Emirates yesterday. You wouldn’t bet against a team unbeaten in the Cup since 2013, when they lost in the last 16 to... Blackburn.
No6: Crystal Palace
Another side never to lift the famous old pot, Palace are in the quarter-finals courtesy of a dashing Cup run at odds with their league form. Alan Pardew’s team put Southampton and Stoke to the sword, before shocking Tottenham at White Hart Lane earlier today. The Eagles have only made the final once before, back in 1990, and haven’t been as far as the quarter-finals since 1995.
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No5: West Ham United
The Hammers are a force to be reckoned with, with Slaven Bilic prioritising the Cup with the team sitting very comfortably in the Premier League table. West Ham swept past Blackburn earlier today, adding to the memorable replay victory over Liverpool in round four. Having lost in the final in 2006, they’re still seeking a first FA Cup since 1980, when they were a second division side.
No4: Shrewsbury Town or Manchester United
Whoever draws ball No4 will either face League One strugglers Shrewsbury, who would be making only their third quarter-final appearance, or Manchester United, 11-time winners and hungry for silverware. They’ll have to wait until Monday night, or longer, to find out.
No3: Watford
Three 1-0 wins in a row have the Hornets into the last eight with the minimum of fuss. Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have all been seen off, and with Quique Sánchez Flores’s team safely in mid-table, this represents an excellent chance for Watford to win their first ever FA Cup, and bury the hurt of 1984, when they lost in the final. This is their first trip to the quarter-finals since 2007.
By the way, it’s finished Chelsea 5-1 Manchester City. Yowza!
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No2: Reading
The Royals are the only side from outside the top flight guaranteed a quarter-final place. They’re also the only lower league team to beat Premier League opponents, sending West Brom packing on Saturday. They’ve also beaten Huddersfield and Walsall on their way to the last eight. Reading have never won the FA Cup, but are enjoying something of a golden age in the competition; this is their fourth quarter-final appearance in the last seven tournaments, and they took Arsenal all the way in last year’s semis.
No1: Chelsea
I’m calling it: Chelsea will be ball No1 in the draw, as they run down the clock against Man City’s youth team. Guus Hiddink’s team are looking for an eighth FA Cup, having last won the trophy in 2012. They will be glad only one other City remain, having been knocked out in the last three campaigns by Manchester City (twice) and Bradford City. So far, they’ve eliminated Scunthorpe, MK Dons, and now Manchester City by an aggregate score of 11-2 (and counting).
Welcome, then, to the business end of the FA Cup. There are 11 teams still in contention, although Manchester City, currently 4-1 down at Chelsea, won’t be making the final draw. It’s an open-looking field, with big guns, dark horses and plucky outsiders all present and correct. The draw is coming up shortly after 6pm; we’ll take a look at the runners and riders in the meantime.
Good afternoon. Here are the teams in the hat (and their numbers) for the sixth round draw:
1 Chelsea
2 Reading
3 Watford
4 Shrewsbury Town or Manchester United
5 West Ham United
6 Crystal Palace
7 Arsenal or Hull City
8 Everton
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