FA Cup draw leaves Ancelotti singing with delight

Holders Chelsea set out on the first steps towards a defence of their FA Cup crown with a home tie against Championship side Watford, finalists in 1984, in the third round draw made on Sunday.

The pairing had Chelsea coach Carlo Anceletti drooling at the prospect of getting the chance to meet one of his singing heroes, former Watford chairman Sir Elton John.

“I do not know Watford very well at the moment but I will have the opportunity to learn about them,” he said after Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League win at Arsenal.

“The owner of Watford many years ago was Elton John. Elton John is my favourite singer. The match will be an opportunity to meet Elton John.”

West Ham will host London rivals Arsenal, who last lifted the trophy in 2005 and have not picked up any silverware since, in one of three all Premier League fixtures.

The other two top-flight affairs see Aston Villa host Blackburn and Hull travel to Wigan.

Everton, the side Chelsea beat under then interim coach Guus Hiddink in last season’s final, welcome League One side Carlisle to Goodison Park.

The Toffees’ Merseyside rivals, seven-time winners Liverpool, were drawn against second-tier Reading.

Non-league Kettering could be set for a dream trip to Old Trafford to face 11 time winners Manchester United should they manage to negotiate their second round replay with Leeds.

Kettering player-manager Lee Harper vowed that he and his team-mates would give it their “best shot”.

Kettering must knock out League One leaders Leeds first, after the two teams drew 1-1 at Rockingham Road on Sunday.

“It will be really hard but we will give it our best shot,” Harper told ITV1.

“We’ve got an enormous task ahead of us before we start thinking about getting there (Old Trafford) yet.

“The club is in a bit of trouble at the moment, it is difficult for us financially but we will go to Elland Road, try to have a great time and see where it gets us.”

Either Oxford or Barrow will definitely get the chance to claim a Premier League scalp, with the winner of their replay set for a trip to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, while York, from the semi-professional ranks of the Blue Square Premier league (the fifth division) travel to Stoke.

Another non-league side, Staines Town, who forced a replay with 2004 finalists Millwall at Wheatsheaf Park, have the incentive of a home tie with Derby.

The 2008 winners Portsmouth have been drawn at home against Coventry.

Of the remaining Premier League clubs Manchester City will return to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, Tottenham host Peterborough, Bolton are at home to Lincoln, Fulham face Swindon, Wolves will meet either Tranmere or Aldershot and Birmingham are away to Nottingham Forest.

Draw for the third round of the FA Cup made on Sunday:

FA Cup

3rd rd draw

Tottenham v Peterborough

Brentford v Doncaster

Middlesbrough v Manchester City

Stoke v York

Notts County v Forest Green Rovers

Huddersfield v West Brom

Sheffield United v Queens Park Rangers

MK Dons v Burnley

Chelsea v Watford

Nottingham Forest v Birmingham

Preston v Colchester

West Ham v Arsenal

Aston Villa v Blackburn

Portsmouth v Coventry

Sunderland v Oxford or Barrow

Wigan v Hull

Everton v Carlisle

Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace

Tranmere or Aldershot v Wolves

Blackpool v Ipswich

Fulham v Swindon

Stockport or Torquay v Brighton

Scunthorpe v Barnsley

Southampton v Rotherham or Luton

Bristol City v Cardiff

Reading v Liverpool

Staines or Millwall v Derby

Plymouth v Newcastle

Leicester v Swansea

Bolton v Lincoln

Accrington or Barnet v Gillingham

Manchester United v Kettering or Leeds

Ties to be played on weekend of January 2 and 3.