FA Cup Round-up
A PATH opening up to the FA Cup semi-final for Coventry City and Leeds United was the most obvious possibility offered by yesterday's sixth-round draw.
Both were given winnable home ties and the chance of their best runs in the competition since 1987, when they met in the last four, with Coventry going on to take the cup for the only time in their history.
Gordon Strachan's team made a smaller piece of history in Saturday's fifth round by winning away to Aston Villa for the first time in 27 attempts. Now they are at home to the only Nationwide league team definitely through, Sheffield United.
Leeds will play at Elland Road for the fourth round running, meeting either Wolves or Wimbledon.
Newcastle's reward for an unimpressive victory over Tranmere is home advantage against Manchester United or Barnsley.
Two replays will be necessary before the final tie is known, with Arsenal or Crystal Palace at home to West Ham or Blackburn.
Arsenal against Blackburn looks the most likely outcome, West Ham having wasted a chance to beat Roy Hodgson's 10 men on Saturday after Kevin Gallacher was sent off.
If the Scot's dismissal seemed harsh, there could be no complaints from Everton about
Duncan Ferguson's red card in the 2-1 Premiership defeat at home to Derby.
Although he was being held by Paulo Wanchope, Ferguson's reaction in swinging an arm to catch the Costa Rican full in the throat was inexcusable; more so since his appointment as captain was supposed prevent such excesses.
Reduced to 10 men with only 16 minutes played, and having already lost Mickael Madar to a hip injury, Everton were in no position to prevent a first defeat in six games.
Their plight would have been worse if Tottenham had achieved more than a 1-1 draw with Leicester, Colin Calderwood scoring their equaliser, and if Sheffield Wednesday had hung on to a 3-1 lead against, Liverpool instead of allowing Michael Owen to deny them with the first hat trick of his senior career.
FA Cup sixth round draw:
Arsenal or Crystal Palace v West Ham United or Blackburn Rovers, Coventry City v Sheffield United, Leeds United v Wimbledon or Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United v Manchester United or Barnsley.
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