A late Carlos Tevez header salvaged a 1-1 draw for Manchester United away to Blackburn Rovers, despite a majestic performance by Brad Friedel.

Tevez glanced the ball home to equalise Roque Santa Cruz's opener three minutes from time just as it looked like they would be denied.

Friedel pulled off a string of outstanding saves while referee Rob Styles could easily have awarded a penalty for a Brett Emerton handball.

Although the leaders were held, they remain three points ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table with a significant goal difference advantage.

Consequently, they could lose to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next weekend and still retain their title if they win their remaining games against West Ham and Wigan.

The smiles on the visitors' faces at the end were testament to what they deemed a satisfactory end to an agonising afternoon that saw Wayne Rooney limp off with a stomach injury - a worry ahead of Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Barcelona.

Tevez had missed a golden chance to give United the lead on 10 minutes when he raced forward to meet a low cross from Rooney but somehow missed the ball altogether when he seemed certain to score.

United fans who expressed delight at the return of Nemanja Vidic to the centre of defence after injury found their expression turn to one of horror on 21 minutes.

Rio Ferdinand and Vidic both jumped for the same long throw from Morten Gamst Pedersen and neither won the ball, which took an unlikely deflection off both men into the path of Santa Cruz, who could hardly miss from six yards.

Ferguson's two centre-backs have excelled this season, contributing to the best defensive record in the Premier League - now their blunder threatened to derail United's bid for a second consecutive Premier League title.

As United's frustration grew, it found an outlet from a predictable source. Rooney was lucky to stay on the pitch after the red mist descended late in the first half.

Rooney has worked hard to keep his temper in check but it flared horribly after he was denied a penalty following a Steven Reid challenge.

Incensed, Rooney chased after the nearest opponent - in this case the giant Christopher Samba - and fell him with a thigh-high two-footed tackle from behind.

Referee Rob Styles could have sent him off, but showed commendable restraint in settling for a yellow card and a stern talking-to.

The second half saw Blackburn more or less give up any ambition of scoring a second as United poured forward.

Cristiano Ronaldo cracked a shot off the base of the post from the edge of the box after beating Friedel, but that was one of the few shots the veteran did not get his hands on.

At 36, the American is still at the top of the game and vastly outshone his shaky opposite number Tomasz Kuszczak, in for the injured Edwin van der Sar.

Friedel was alert to prevent an own goal when a cross ricocheted off a defender and did even better on 80 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to be fouled 12 yards from goal but the ball broke for Tevez, who turned and fired. Friedel got a hand to it and raced back to smother the ball as it rolled onto the line.

Four minutes later he stayed big to repel Wayne Rooney when the England striker had been sent through one-on-one. Rooney has been told by Fabio Capello to convert more chances - Friedel ensured he did not made an immediate start.

This was after referee Styles again showed leniency when Emerton appeared clearly to use his arm to 'save' a goalbound Michael Carrick header.

But if the sign of a champion side is the bloody-mindedness to plough on when all seems lost, the United might have gained a decisive result.

A Nani corner came in on 88 minutes and was flicked on by Paul Scholes to Tevez, who finally found the net from close range.

Alex Chick / Eurosport