United snatch late equaliser

2008-04-19 20:35

Blackburn - Carlos Tevez's late header salvaged a crucial point for Manchester United in a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday.

The Argentina striker's header extended United's lead at the top of the English Premiership to three points and means United can now all but secure the title by beating second-placed Chelsea at their Stamford Bridge ground on April 26.

Victory in west London would give Sir Alex Ferguson's side a six-point advantage with just two games remaining, and their vastly superior goal difference means their lead would be virtually unassailable.

Before that comes next week's Champions League semi-final first leg in Barcelona but if Ferguson's side are to record two victories next week, they will have to improve significantly on this under-par showing.

Tevez scored in the 88th minute to cancel out a goal from Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz which came 21 minutes in.

Chelsea's win at Everton on Thursday had only added to the importance of the clash with Blackburn and United at least began the game with the sense of urgency required against a committed Rovers side still challenging for a UEFA Cup spot.

Ferguson had demonstrated he had no intention of taking any chances by naming his strongest available line-up despite the looming trip to Barcelona.

And, having survived an early penalty scare, his side responded by forcing the best of the early opening.

United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak - standing in for the injured Edwin van der Sar - was lucky to escape without punishment when he blocked Rovers forward Jason Roberts inside the area after just seven minutes.

But the visitors should have made more of that let-off when Wayne Rooney carved out the simplest of chances for fellow striker Tevez.

Rooney's low cross completely took out the Blackburn defence. However, presented with the opportunity just three yards out, Tevez failed to connect with it properly and the chance was inexplicably lost.

From that moment United's efforts became more frayed and they looked anything but potential champions, and their indifferent form was summed up perfectly by the mix-up that led to Santa Cruz's goal.

A routine throw towards Roberts should have been easily dealt with by Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, reunited at centre-half after Vidic's recent knee injury.

But Ferdinand missed his header, Roberts ducked, and the ball bounced off Vidic's chest and against Ferdinand's heel before rolling temptingly into the path of Santa Cruz who finished with an ease that had eluded Tevez.

For once, Cristiano Ronaldo was having a relatively quiet game but the 38-goal winger still posed United's biggest threat and it took a superb reaction save by Brad Friedel to deny a close range header by the Portuguese star.

After the break, Ronaldo struck a post with a expertly struck snapshot but he was unable to conjure his usual menace as United's efforts to get back into the game became increasingly frantic.

Ferguson had good reason to complain when Michael Carrick's goal-bound header was blocked by Australia midfielder Brett Emerton's arm inside the six-yard box.

However, there was no excuse for Rooney's more straight-forward miss when he shot too close to Friedel with five minutes remaining.

With time running fast running out, it appeared certain to be advantage Chelsea in the title race but Tevez made up for his earlier miss with just two minutes left.

Friedel had just produced yet another outstanding save to deny John O'Shea but from the resulting corner, Scholes headed goalwards and Tevez flicked on from two yards out to claim a crucial point.

- AFP