LONDON, Oct 25 - Holders Manchester United were
handed another potentially easy tie when they were drawn away to
second division Southend United in the League Cup fourth round
on Wednesday.
Manager Alex Ferguson will, however, be wary of taking the
opposition too lightly after his team only managed to subdue
third division Crewe Alexandra 2-1 after extra time in their
third round clash earlier on Wednesday night.
"I'm sure it will be a good game for us but I hope the boys
will learn from tonight," Ferguson told Sky Sports after
fielding several second string players at Crewe.
Champions Chelsea were given another tough draw although
they will be at home against Aston Villa, the only unbeaten team
in the Premier League, after overcoming Blackburn Rovers 2-0
away in the third round.
Arsenal play at Everton and Newcastle United visit Watford
in two more all-Premier League ties.
Third-division Chesterfield, who upset FA Cup runners-up
West Ham United 2-1 on Tuesday, their second top-flight scalp in
a row after beating Manchester City, are at home to the Premier
League's bottom side Charlton Athletic.
"We're on a hat-trick," Chesterfield manager Roy McFarland
enthused.
Port Vale, also of the third division, are away to Tottenham
Hotspur who romped to a 5-0 win over fourth division MK Dons on
Wednesday.
Spurs will be wary, however, of repeating their shock 2-1
defeat at Port Vale, then in the old third division, in an FA
Cup fourth round tie in January 1988.
There will be at least one side from the lower leagues in
the last 16 after the draw threw up a clash of fourth division
sides with Notts County hosting Wycombe Wanderers.
Liverpool, seven-times winners, visit second division
Birmingham City who they beat on penalties in the 2001 final.
Notts County (IV) v Wycombe Wanderers (IV)
Tottenham Hotspur v Port Vale (III)
Birmingham City (II) v Liverpool
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Watford v Newcastle United
Chesterfield (III) v Charlton Athletic
Southend United (II) v Manchester United
Everton v Arsenal
Ties to be played week commencing Nov. 6.