Carlos Tevez pounced late to earn Manchester United a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers yesterday 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 weekend, 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.
United have 81 points, Chelsea have 78 and Arsenal, who beat Reading 2-0, have 74. Liverpool are fourth with 69 points after a 2-0 victory at Fulham that left the London club staring relegation in the face.
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 half-time when he appeared to be clipped by Rovers' Steven Reid and the United 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.
Bolton Wanderers secured a priceless three points in their bid to escape relegation yesterday, winning 1-0 at Middlesbrough. Gavin McCann struck after the break at the Riverside to take Wanderers out of the relegation zone. Reading could find themselves in the relegation zone today should Birmingham beat Aston Villa.
While Bolton earned a second consecutive 1-0 victory to claw themselves towards safety, things were looking grim for Fulham who lost at home to a below-strength Liverpool.
Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch, both of whom are unlikely to start in Liverpool's Champions League semi-final, first leg against Chelsea this week, were on target to leave Fulham five points from the safety zone with three games to play.
Liverpool are now eight points clear of fifth-placed Everton and on target for a Champions League qualifying place next season.
Wigan edged a point nearer survival with a 1-1 draw at home to mid-table Tottenham while relegated Derby went down 2-1 at West Ham United.
Arsenal's title hopes disintegrated in the last few weeks but they gave their fans some cheer with just their second win in nine league games to keep themselves in the hunt for second place.
Reading held out for 30 minutes before Emmanuel Adebayor showed a delightful touch to make space in the area and side-foot a shot past keeper Marcus Hahnemann for his 21st league goal of the season.
Eight minutes later Steve Coppell's side had a mountain to climb when Gilberto Silva's shot brushed off the forehead of Andre Bikey and beyond the diving Hahnemann.
Reading offered virtually no threat and Arsenal were denied further goals when both Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott struck shots against the woodwork.
Leading scorers
27 goals Ronaldo (Man. United)
22 goals Torres (Liverpool)
21 goals Adebayor (Arsenal)
16 goals Santa Cruz (Blackburn)
Upcoming fixtures
Today:
Aston Villa vs Birmingham 13.00
Man. City vs Portsmouth 17.00
Newcastle vs Sunderland 14.30
Saturday: Premier League - 1.45 p.m. Chelsea vs Manchester United. 15.00 Birmingham vs Liverpool; Manchester City vs Fulham; Sunderland vs Middles-brough; Tottenham vs Bolton Wanderers; West Ham United vs Newcastle United; Wigan Athletic vs Reading.
Sunday: Premier League - 2.30 p.m. Portsmouth vs Blackburn Rovers. 5 p.m. Everton vs Aston Villa. Scottish Premier - 1.30 p.m. Celtic vs Rangers.
Monday, Apr. 28: Premier League - 9 p.m. Derby County vs Arsenal.