After their stunning upset of Premier League leaders Liverpool, Plymouth Argyle have been rewarded with yet another challenge: a fifth-round trip to seven-time champions Manchester City.
The Championship strugglers, who sit bottom of England’s second tier, will need to summon the powers of cup magic once again as they face Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad.
City themselves had a brief scare in the previous round, falling behind against League One Leyton Orient before recovering to win 2-1, but against Plymouth they will once more line up as overwhelming favourites.
The full draw for the FA Cup fifth-round was made on Monday night and set up some strong matchups, even in the absence of Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Arsenal.
FA Cup holders Manchester United host Fulham in a repeat of 2023’s fiery quarter-final, when the Cottagers imploded with two red cards (and a third for manager Marco Silva).
United advanced to the fifth round this season after a dramatic and controversial 2-1 win over Leicester, with Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time winner sparking debate over a potential offside. While there was no VAR in the fourth round, the technology will return from this stage onwards.
Bournemouth, who looked convincing in their 2-0 win at Everton, will welcome Wolves to the Vitality Stadium in another all-Premier League tie.
Meanwhile, Brighton’s reward for knocking out Chelsea is a tough away day to Carabao Cup finalists Newcastle.
Aston Villa will host Cardiff, who edged past Stoke on penalties, while rivals Crystal Palace and Millwall will clash in a feisty South London derby at Selhurst Park.
Preston will take on Burnley in an all-second-tier encounter, while the winner of today’s Exeter vs. Nottingham Forest clash will welcome Ipswich.
FA Cup fifth-round ties are scheduled to take place around the first weekend of March, with the FA set to confirm exact dates and kick-off times in due course.
FA Cup fifth-round draw in full:
Preston vs Burnley
Aston Villa vs Cardiff City
Crystal Palace vs Millwall
Manchester United vs Fulham
Newcastle vs Brighton
Bournemouth vs Wolves
Manchester City vs Plymouth Argyle
Exeter City/Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1739294617labto1739294617ofdlr1739294617owedi1739294617sni@g1739294617niwe.1739294617yrrah1739294617