Carlos Tevez pounced late to earn Manchester United a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday just when it looked like the Premier League title race had been blasted wide open.
Roque Santa Cruz's 21st minute shot had given Rovers the lead and they were hanging on grimly despite intense United pressure until Tevez swooped to flick in a header with two minutes of normal time remaining.
Defeat would have left United just two points above Chelsea, who they face at Stamford Bridge next week, but thanks to Tevez they are three clear with three games to go and still in the driving seat thanks to their superior goal difference.
Manchester United welcomed Nemanja Vidic back to their central defence but they appeared anxious at Ewood Park where they have struggled in recent years.
Tevez should have given them the lead when he failed to connect from inside the six-yard box.
They were stunned just before the midway point of the first half when a mix-up between Vidic and Rio Ferdinand allowed Santa Cruz to coolly finish past United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak who was in goal instead of Edwin van der Sar.
Wayne Rooney was furious not to be awarded a penalty before halftime when he appeared to be clipped by Rovers' Steven Reid and the forward was lucky to only be booked soon after when he committed an ugly foul on Christopher Samba.
United stepped up the tempo in the second half and Cristiano Ronaldo shot against the post just past the hour mark. Morten Gamst Pedersen went close to making it 2-0 for the home side with a cross-shot before United laid siege to Rovers' goal.
Brad Friedel made two outstanding saves to deny Tevez and United substitute John O'Shea and the visitors had a penalty appeal turned down when Brett Emerton appeared to handle a Michael Carrick header.
With time running out Nani's corner was headed towards goal by Paul Scholes and United's Argentina forward Tevez twisted to glance the ball past Friedel to the relief of manager Alex Ferguson and the travelling fans.
