Holders Spurs draw Newcastle

1:38pm Saturday 30th August 2008

Holders Tottenham will visit Newcastle as they start their defence of the Carling Cup.

Spurs - who beat Chelsea 2-1 to lift the trophy last season - will be looking to claim their first win over the Magpies in six attempts with their last victory in December 2005.

Newcastle, though, needed extra-time to beat Coventry in midweek.

Beaten finalists Chelsea will visit Portsmouth, with the south coast club having to endure a tough start to the season.

Pompey have already had to face the Blues and Manchester United and went down 4-0 to the former in their first game and currently prop up the Barclays Premier League.

Manchester United will host Middlesbrough in ties to be held in the week commencing September 22.

Arsenal will take on Sheffield United at the Emirates in a repeat of last season's fourth-round clash which the Gunners won at a canter at Bramall Lane on their way to the semi-finals. It is the third season out of four the clubs have been drawn together in a cup competition.

Everton, who were beaten in the last four by Chelsea, will travel to face Paul Ince's Blackburn.

Liverpool face a seemingly much easier proposition when they host Crewe, who beat Coca-Cola Championship side Bristol City to progress in midweek.

West Ham, with manager Alan Curbishley under severe pressure after his side needed extra time to beat Macclesfield, face a difficult trip to Watford.

Editor's choice