Two goals in the first twenty minutes set the stage for an extremely comfortable 3-0 win for Chelsea over Nottingham Forest in the fourth round of the FA Cup three weeks ago. Now, the Stamford Bridge side has been blessed with another home tie, their third this year and all against lower level opposition.

On Saturday Norwich makes the trip to London after narrowly beating League One side Blackpool on Tuesday evening in a replay. Two goals from Darren Huckerby brought his Cup tally to five goals in two rounds and three games so far.

Tamworth was beaten 4-1 in the third round with doubles from Huckerby and the apparently ageless Dion Dublin. Then the Canaries drew away from home against Blackpool (1-1) that set up a replay. It needed substitute Chris Martin to score his first ever goal for Norwich eight minutes from time to edge Blackpool in a five goal thriller at Carrow Road.

After failing to gain promotion back to the Premiership at the first attempt last season and with things looking no brighter after two months of this one Norwich fired Nigel Worthington who had been in charge for close to five years.

Former Celtic player and West Ham United assistant manager Peter Grant was hired as a replacement but the East Anglian side is still only five points out of a relegation spot albeit with a couple of games in hand.

Grant released Coach Doug Livermore earlier this week while bringing in former Chelsea, Portsmouth, Dundee and Hibs man Jim Duffy. With only two away wins and only two wins in their last ten games in the Championship Norwich will approach Saturday’s trip with much trepidation.

While Huckerby has stepped up with goals in the FA Cup the absence of Robert Earnshaw has left a noticeable hole in the Norwich attack. The diminutive striker led the Championship with 17 goals when he went down with a groin injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

After Saturday’s cup match Norwich will face six of their next eight games against teams pushing for automatic promotion or a play-off spot.
The full fifth round draw can be found here and this is a link to the latest news from the official FA Cup website. The fifth round winners pocket around $240,000 in prize money and a place in the 6th round draw.

Past Featured Games
Extra Preliminary Round      Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A.    5-2    Billingham Synthonia.
Preliminary Round                Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A     5-4    Thackley F.C
First Qualifying Round          Fleetwood Town                        3-0    Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A.
Second Qualifying Round    Fleetwood Town                        4-2    Goole AFC 
Third Qualifying Round         Fleetwood Town                        2-0    Warrington Town
Fourth Qualifying Round      Fleetwood Town                        2-0     Wisbech Town
First Round                            Salisbury City                              3-0     Fleetwood Town
Second Round                      Salisbury City                              1-1     Nottingham Forest
Second Round Replay         Nottingham Forest                    2-0     Salisbury City
Third Round                           Nottingham Forest                    2-0     Charlton 
Fourth Round                        Chelsea                                       3-0     Nottingham Forest