Portsmouth to start Cup defence against Bristol City

LONDON (Reuters) - FA Cup holders Portsmouth will begin their defence with a third-round tie at home to Bristol City after the draw was made on Sunday.

Portsmouth, who won the Cup last year for the first time since 1939, joined the rest of the Premier League clubs in the draw which also included minor league side Histon after their shock defeat of Leeds United in the second round on Sunday.

The favorites were kept apart with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all handed comfortable looking ties.

Chelsea host League One (third division) Southend United, Arsenal are at home to Championship (second division) Plymouth Argyle and Manchester United go to Championship side Southampton. Liverpool travel to Preston North End.

Cambridgeshire village side Histon, who beat Leeds 1-0, were rewarded with a third-round tie at home to Championship team Swansea City.

The draw produced only three all-Premier League clashes with Tottenham Hotspur at home to Wigan Athletic, Hull City hosting Newcastle United and struggling Sunderland at home to Bolton Wanderers who thrashed them 4-1 on Saturday.

The ties will take place on the weekend of Jan 3-4.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ed Osmond)