Bradford will face either Sunderland or Fulham in the next round of the FA Cup as reward for their fourth-round heroics at Chelsea.
Phil Parkinson’s men caused one of the greatest shocks in the cup’s history when they overturned a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2 at the Premier League leaders, and Monday’s night’s draw gave them home advantage.
While Sunderland or Fulham – who replay next week after a goalless draw on Saturday – are not the Manchester United or Arsenal the Bantams will have hoped for, they may fancy another shock against either the Premier League strugglers or the second-tier side.
If Manchester United can get past Cambridge in their replay they will travel to the winners of Preston and Sheffield United, while holders Arsenal host Middlesbrough – the Championship high-fliers who won at Manchester City on Saturday.
Liverpool and Bolton will replay for the right to go to Crystal Palace, while Leicester and Aston Villa meet in a Midlands derby. West Brom face West Ham at home, while the winners of Monday’s tie between Rochdale and Stoke will travel to Blackburn.
Derby play host to Reading in an all-Championship affair to round off the draw, but it is the enduring appeal of Bradford that is likely to hold the headlines.
League Cup finalists two years ago, they are making further waves this year and their stunning win at Chelsea will be spoken of for years to come.
The last time they faced Sunderland saw them lose 3-0 in December 2003, while they have to go all the way back to 1994 to find their last meeting with Fulham, a goalless draw.
FA CUP FIFTH ROUND DRAW
Crystal Palace v Liverpool/Bolton
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Aston Villa v Leicester
West Brom v West Ham
Bradford v Sunderland/Fulham
Blackburn v Stoke/Rochdale
Derby v Reading
Preston/Sheffield United v Cambridge/Manchester United
Ties to be played across the weekend of February 14th and 15th.
