Manchester clash set to ignite FA Cup third round

A white-hot Premier League title race is put on the back-burner this weekend as holders Manchester City and Manchester United slug it out for bragging rights, rather than points, when they meet in the pick of the FA Cup third round ties tomorrow. Retribution will be firmly on United manager Alex Ferguson's mind, with the fierce rivals meeting almost three months after City inflicted a stunning 6-1 league defeat on their neighbours at Old Trafford. The clash at City's Etihad Stadium is also a repeat of last season's semi-final, which City won 1-0 before securing their first major trophy for 35 years by beating Stoke City in the final. A hectic holiday programme saw both sides stutter to surprise defeats, United losing twice in five days to strugglers Blackburn at home and then at Newcastle United on Wednesday. City were sunk by a late goal at Sunderland but their midweek 3-0 win over Liverpool helped them preserve a three-point lead at the top of the league. The third round draw produced just one other all-Premier League clash, with Newcastle United hosting Blackburn, but there are plenty of other interesting ties. Repeat Ten-times winners Arsenal host Championship (second division) Leeds United on Monday in a repeat of the 1972 final, while Chelsea welcome Portsmouth to Stamford Bridge tomorrow in a repeat of the 2010 final, which the Londoners won 1-0. There are also some spicy local derbies in prospect, none more so than at St Andrews, where Birmingham City, relegated from the Premier League last season, host Wolverhampton Wanderers today. The minnows also get their moment in the spotlight, with minor league Tamworth savouring a bumper payday when they take on Everton at Goodison Park this afternoon. The magic of the FA Cup has not been lost on Tamworth, who will be cheered on by more than 4,000 fans who will travel up from Staffordshire. Liverpool were due to host Oldham in the first tie of the round last night.