Draw sets up two big cup ties

The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup has pitted two of the favourites for the Premier League title afainst each other.

Manuel Pellegrini’s City, winners in 2011 and runners-up to Wigan last year, recovered from two goals down to beat Watford in the fourth round on Saturday and meet Chelsea following the Blues’ slender 1-0 victory over Stoke.

Their London rivals Arsenal, who cruised past Coventry on Friday night with a 4-0 win, will welcome Brendan Rodger's Liverpool in the next round of the tournament after they ousted Bournemouth yesterday.

Upon hearing his Chelsea side had been drawn against domestic title rivals City, manager Jose Mourinho told ITV: ``No problem.

“If you want to be the best you have to play against the best, so it’s good for us. Good experience, good game, big game.”

Holders Wigan produced the shock of the fourth round by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 and next face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Cardiff in a match set to take place on the weekend of February 15-16.

The two lowest-ranking teams remaining in the competition, Sheffield United and Preston of League One, could face each other in the quarter-finals if they can get through respective replays against Fulham and Nottingham Forest.

The Blades held Fulham to a 1-1 draw and go to Craven Cottage on February 4 while Preston invite Nottingham Forest to Deepdale for a decider following Friday night’s stalemate.

Two remaining all-Premier League clashes will see Sunderland – fourth-round victors over non-league Kidderminster – entertain Southampton and 1995 winners Everton tackle Swansea at Goodison Park.

Hull’s victory over Southend earned them a return trip south, this time to Brighton, while two Championship sides will go head-to-head at Hillsborough when Sheffield Wednesday host Charlton.

Draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup:

Manchester City v Chelsea

Sheffield United or Fulham v Nottingham Forest or Preston

Arsenal v Liverpool

Brighton v Hull

Cardiff v Wigan

Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton

Sunderland v Southampton

Everton v Swansea

Matches to be played on the weekend of February 15-16.