Manchester City drawn at home in FA Cup
The FA Cup third round was drawn today, and it threw up some particularly tasty ties. Liverpool to host neighbors Everton is certainly the one to stick out most. Manchester City were actually drawn at home, a rarity which has now happened twice this season, to Burnley.
Facing Premier League opposition is the new normal for City, and so this was no surprise. Meanwhile Sunderland go to Middlesbrough in another local match-up. Our local rivals, United, are at home again against Derby County, a replay of last seasons third round tie. It is also the replay of the 1976 FA Cup Semi Final, which United ended up winning, and will take place at Old Trafford next month.
For me, and one which might go under the radar slightly, is West Ham’s trip to Shrewsbury. Joe Hart, if he is to play in that game, goes back to where it all started. Leaving the Shrews for City in 2006, the England shot stopper returns with all the success he’s enjoyed.
Another fixture of interest for City fans is the Fleetwood fixture. They will host Leicester, providing they get through the replay game against Hereford of course. Managed by Manchester City legend Uwe Rosler the ‘Cod Army’, as they are known, ply their trade in the third tier of English football.
Nigel Clough and Mick McCarthy, both ex City players, also lead their sides into that third round. Mick, a defender for us in the middle of the 1980’s, scored a couple of goals for us. Turning out for us over 100 times before moving to Celtic. Now manager of Ipswich, they’ll welcome Sheffield United to Portman Road.
For Nigel, it’s his second spell in charge of Burton Albion as they welcome Crystal Palace in the third round. Son of Brian, Nigel put on the sky blue shirt for two seasons, which ended as our side confirmed relegation to the third tier.
When it comes to Manchester City’s fixture it could have been better, but most certainly could have been a lot worse. In fact, Manchester City have faced Burnley in the FA Cup on three occasions. All three of those games were away from our ground, and we were successful on two occasions.
Both teams have changed quite a bit since the last FA Cup fixture, in 1991. Manchester City are now challenging for titles and trophies yearly, while Sean Dyche has Burnley flying high in the Premier League. Back then, they were stuck in the fourth tier and this game would be their highest attended game, with over 20,000 fans.