Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (right) fouls Blackburn Rovers' Christopher Samba and picks up a booking during the English Premier League soccer match at Ewood Park, Blackburn, England, on Saturday. The game ended 1-1. - AP photos

BLACKBURN, England (AP):

If Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson wins his 10th English Premier League title, he will reserve special praise for Carlos Tevez.

The Argentina striker scored an 86th-minute equaliser for the Red Devils to draw 1-1 at Blackburn on Saturday and move three points ahead of second-place Chelsea with three rounds left.

"He's fantastic, the lad," Ferguson said. "It's five (crucial goals) this season, if you include equalising goals and late goals that have got us points and it's another one."

Tevez headed in the 18th goal of his first season for Man United to ensure they can effectively defend their title by beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next week, as they currently have a superior goal difference of 18.

"We played like champions," Ferguson said. "It's now to one game - if we win one game, we will win the league. So, it will be a fantastic game and we'll have to recover from the Barcelona game on Wednesday, but I think we'll cope with that OK."

Ferguson is confident of ending Chelsea's 80-game unbeaten run at home.

Three games left

"Records are there to be broken," he said. "We've given ourselves a chance, with only three games left. We're approaching that finish line.

"The attitude and character the players showed in the second half - that was fantastic and I'm really proud of them."

The team that has achieved 20 shutouts had its defense penetrated with ease throughout the first half at a chilly and wind-swept Ewood Park. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic missed the ball as Morten Gamst Pedersen's deep throw-in reached Roque Santa Cruz, who blasted in his 20th goal of the season.

Meanwhile, Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel was a solid barrier, frustrating Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney numerous times. Ferguson brought Nani on to replace the veteran Ryan Giggs at half-time, and United stamped its authority on the second half.

But referee Rob Styles dismissed a string of penalty claims by United, the most clear-cut when Ronaldo was clipped from behind by Johann Vogel.

"He's had some bad decisions against him in the last few weeks and we just have to get on with it," Ferguson said. "The important thing is that we don't let that affect us because if you do, you get a chip on the shoulder and you start worrying about it.

"The players are bigger than that. Just hopefully, we don't get any decisions like that against us at Chelsea next week, that would be important."

Fitness

Before then, United travel to FC Barcelona for the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals. Rooney should be fit despite hurting his hip on Saturday, while goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is set to recover after injuring his groin in training on Friday to miss Saturday's match.

Meanwhile, Ferguson's son, Darren, was also celebrating on Saturday after coaching his Peterbrough side to promotion to the third-tier of English soccer following a 1-0 victory over Hereford in League Two.