Liverpool will renew acquaintances with Manchester United, this time in the FA Cup, just weeks after being denied a point at Old Trafford by an injury time Rio Ferdinand header.
The Anfield clash, set for the weekend of February 18th, is one of three all-Premiership ties scheduled for the fifth round. It will be the third meeting of the two clubs in the FA Cup in a decade following United's 1-0 win in the 1996 Cup final and United's 2-1 fourth round win in 1998-99.
United, who have won the FA Cup a record 11 times including wins over Liverpool in 1977 and 1996, beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford last week.
Bolton Wanderers, conquerors of Arsenal, will play host to Alan Pardew’s West Ham side who saw off the challange of Blackburn Rovers with a 4-2 win at the weekend, while David O’Leary’s Aston Villa will welcome Manchester City to Birmingham.
Having beaten Derby 3-1 in the fourth round Coca-Cola Division One side Colchester United are guaranteed either a visit to Goodison Park or Stamford Bridge after being chosen to face the winner of Everton's replay with Premiership title holders Chelsea.
Chelsea have never met Colchester in the Cup but Everton beat them 5-0 in the 1971 quarter-final after Colchester had famously knocked out Don Revie's Leeds United 3-2 in the previous round.
Colchester manager Phil Parkinson told Sky Sports News: "That's a great draw for us and will give our young players a chance to test themselves against Premier League players. It's also probably worth around £1million to the club."
Graeme Souness will have breathed a sigh of relief after Newcastle United were drawn at home against Southampton. The Scotsman is in desperate need of a good cup run with the pressure mounting at St. James’s Park.
Division One outfit Brentford are rewarded for beating Sunderland 2-1 on Saturday with a short trip across London to Charlton Athletic.
The clubs, whose grounds are 12 miles (19 km) apart, last met in a league match in the old Third Division 25 years ago, and last met in the FA Cup in the fourth round in 1996 with Charlton winning 3-2.
Preston North-End or Crystal Palace will face either Coventry or Middlesbrough, while Stoke City will welcome Reading or Birmingham to the Britannia Stadium.
Fifth Round draw
Preston / Crystal Palace v Coventry / Middlesbrough
Newcastle v Southampton
Aston Villa v Man City
Everton / Chelsea v Colchester Utd
Charlton v Brentford
Liverpool v Man United
Bolton Wanderers v West Ham
Stoke City v Reading / Birmingham
