Blackburn keep Cup final bid alive

8220;It the tie is very much open, it8217;s halftime, 1-1, and we are reasonably happy with that,8221; Rovers coach and former United striker Mark Hughes said.

United manager Alex Ferguson, chastened by the inept display from his second-string side in the humiliating 0-0 FA Cup draw by minor league Burton Albion on Saturday, selected a near full-strength side.

Rovers, the 2002 winners, nearly caught the visitors cold and only a fine block with his legs by Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar prevented Savage from firing the hosts ahead after just 24 seconds.

A shaky United then almost let in Craig Bellamy but United weathered the early storm and went ahead when Ryan Giggs bisected two Rovers defenders with a short pass to find an unmarked Saha in space with time to pick his spot past Brad Friedel.

United8217;s lead lasted just five minutes, Pedersen latching onto Shefki Kuqi8217;s header down to blast home a fierce shot.

The match threatened to boil over soon after with an ugly melee ensuing after Alan Smith8217;s tackle from behind on Robbie Savage. Both were booked along with Wayne Rooney, who had to be pulled off the Rovers midfielder after a tussle on the ground.

Wigan Athletic established a 1-0 advantage over Arsenal inthe first leg of the other semi-final on Tuesday.