Source: Northern_Echo
City slickers heading to the Riverside
MIDDLESBROUGH will start 2010 with a glamour FA Cup tie after yesterday's thirdround draw paired the Teessiders with Premier League moneybags Manchester City.[LNB] Mark Hughes' side will visit the Riverside on the weekend beginning Saturday, January 2 and provide a taste of the top-flight following Boro's relegation to the Championship last season.[LNB] With Gordon Strachan still searching for his first success since replacing Gareth Southgate in October, the game hardly represents an easy passage into round four.[LNB] But with City's visit certain to attract the Riverside's biggest attendance of the season, yesterday's draw nevertheless ensures Boro will start the new year with a bang.[LNB] The Teessiders will also draw comfort from their fine recent record against City.[LNB] Goals from Afonso Alves and Gary O'Neil secured a 2-0 win over the Manchester side last season, while Boro thrashed City 8-1 on the final day of the 2007-08 season to record their record Premier League win.[LNB] The renewal of the clubs' rivalry, which could yet be selected for live television, represented one of the most glamorous pairings to emerge from yesterday's draw, but Sunderland and Newcastle are reflecting on a more mundane start to their cup campaigns.[LNB] Sunderland are at home to the winners of the all nonleague tie between Oxford United and Barrow they drew 1-1 in Saturday's secondround encounter while Newcastle face a long trip to the south-west to take on Plymouth Argyle.[LNB] Sunderland last faced nonleague opposition in January 2005, when Northwich Victoria succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light. Oxford are currently two points clear at the top of the Blue Square Premier, while Barrow will be hoping for a rapid return to the North-East after losing 2-1 in an FA Cup thirdround tie at Middlesbrough last season.[LNB] York City are guaranteed a third-round place after Saturday's 2-1 win at Cambridge United, and the Minstermen will travel to Premier League side Stoke City on the opening weekend of the New Year.[LNB] Newcastle will travel to fellow Championship side Plymouth having already beaten the Pilgrims 3-1 at St James' Park this season.[LNB] Elsewhere West Ham will host London rivals Arsenal while the other two top-flight affairs see Aston Villa host Blackburn and Hull travel to Wigan.[LNB] Chelsea won the cup last year, under the guidance of interim coach Guus Hiddink, and his successor Carlo Ancelotti begins his attempt to match that feat with a home clash against Watford.[LNB] The 2008/09 runners-up Everton, meanwhile, welcome Coca-Cola League One side Carlisle to Goodison Park.[LNB] The Toffees' Merseyside rivals, seven-time winners Liverpool, were drawn against second-tier Reading.[LNB] Non-league Kettering could be set for a dream trip to Old Trafford should they manage to negotiate their second round replay with Leeds.[LNB] Kettering player-manager Lee Harper said: It will be really hard but we will give it our best shot.[LNB] The club is in a bit of trouble at the moment, it is difficult for us financially but we will go to Elland Road, try to have a great time and see where it gets us.'' The lure of facing the reigning Barclays Premier League champions at Old Trafford is an upturn in fortune for the Poppies, who face being turfed out of their home in the next three years.[LNB] Former Arsenal goalkeeper Harper has never played at Old Trafford although he has been there as an unused substitute.[LNB] Third round draw: Tottenham v Peterborough, Brentford v Doncaster, Middlesbrough v Man City, Stoke v York, Notts County v Forest Green, Huddersfield v West Brom, Sheff Utd v QPR, Milton Keynes Dons v Burnley, Chelsea v Watford, Nottm Forest v Birmingham, Preston v Colchester, West Ham v Arsenal, Aston Villa v Blackburn, Portsmouth v Coventry, Sunderland v Oxford Utd/Barrow, Wigan v Hull, Everton v Carlisle, Sheff Wed v Crystal Palace, Tranmere/Aldershot v Wolverhampton, Blackpool v Ipswich, Fulham v Swindon, Stockport/ Torquay v Brighton, Scunthorpe v Barnsley, Southampton v Rotherham/Luton, Bristol City v Cardiff, Reading v Liverpool, Staines Town/Millwall v Derby, Plymouth v Newcastle, Leicester v Swansea, Bolton v Lincoln City, Accrington/Barnet v Gillingham, Man Utd v Kettering/Leeds Ties to be played over the weekend of the 2nd/3rd January.[LNB]
