The teams will meet again on the weekend of January 7-8 in a rematch of last season's semi-final which Roberto Mancini's side won before going on to lift the cup with victory against Stoke.

Today's pairing was the highlight of the draw with other eye-catching ties including Birmingham versus Wolves and Arsenal against Leeds, reuniting the teams that met in last year's third round which saw the north London side progress after a replay.

Ferdinand tweeted: "3rd round FA cup game vs mancity..great game to kick off this yrs FA cup, can't wait."

Tottenham, third in the Barclays Premier League, host Cheltenham Town, while Chelsea are also at home, against Portsmouth in a repeat of the 2010 final which the Stamford Bridge club won.

Newcastle host Blackburn in an all-Premier League tie while Liverpool will face the winners of the replay between Southend and Oldham at Anfield.

Tamworth, of the Blue Square Premier, can relish the prospect of a good pay day after being drawn at Everton.

Manager Marcus Law admitted it will be a dream come true facing a top-flight team.

He told Sky Sport News: "I'll be working and planning very hard come that time."

Goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge added: "It's what dreams are made of, we'll go there full of confidence.

"I'm a Sheffield United fan so I would have liked them or one of the two Manchester clubs but we will have to make do with Everton."

Manager Paul Buckle described himself as "delighted" after Bristol Rovers landed a home draw against Aston Villa.

Rovers won 6-1 at Totton today to book their meeting with Alex McLeish's side.

Buckle told ITV1: "I am delighted, absolutely thrilled. I am delighted for the fans and players.

"We've got a lot of tough league fixtures in between. We'll look forward to it but there is a lot to come before then."

Tony Pulis will return to former club Gillingham after they drew his current team Stoke, Fulham host npower League One leaders Charlton while Championship Peterborough will be looking to test Sunderland at London Road.

Director of football Barry Fry and manager Darren Ferguson both welcomed the draw, the former telling theposh.com: "I am absolutely delighted, it is a great draw.

"It should be a sell-out and with Martin O'Neill going there it gives us half a chance of being on TV."

Ferguson added: "It will be a full house, they are a Premier League club and it is a tie we can look forward to."

All the promoted teams face games against lower league opposition, QPR taking on MK Dons of League One, Swansea travel to Barnsley while Norwich host Burnley.

Norwich will take on npower Championship side Burnley at Carrow Road and manager Paul Lambert expects the Clarets to put up a tough challenge.

He told www.canaries.co.uk: "They got a great win at West Ham on Saturday which is certainly no mean feat and just shows Burnley are tough opposition.

"So it will be a tough game but at least we're at home which is the first big thing you can hope for."

West Brom host Cardiff while Premier League bottom two Bolton and Wigan travel to either Chelmsford or Macclesfield and Swindon respectively.

Nottingham Forest host Leicester in an all-Championship east midlands derby while leaders Southampton travel to bottom side Coventry and League One high-flyers Sheffield Wednesday host West Ham.

In two other all-Championship ties, Hull host Ipswich and Derby play Crystal Palace.