Soccer/ English Premier League:If Manchester United sent out a warning to Arsenal by dismantling Blackburn Rovers here last night, then the optimism exuded by the reigning champions should draw shivers of apprehension from their rivals in the title race.

Alex Ferguson warmed to this victory, which hoisted his team three points clear at the top, and insisted this squad is the "strongest I have ever had".

For a man who has inspired nine Premier League title successes in the past 15 seasons, that is some claim, though the manner in which United have powered to the summit would suggest it is not an empty boast. Blackburn were condemned to a first defeat in nine games by Cristiano Ronaldo's ninth and 10th goals of another productive season, and even without Wayne Rooney, United generated an impressive blend of industry and invention to secure a ninth victory in 10 league matches.

"This is a good young team coming together, playing the right way," said Ferguson. "They have great courage in the way they want to play. They want to win something and the signs are good.

"They have a great chance of doing that. I believe this is the strongest squad I have ever had, so much so that I think I would be pushed to name my overall best team. This is what I have been working towards.

"I don't like the short-term fix. I prefer to see a pool of players emerge and develop into something special which - believe me - is what is happening at Old Trafford this season. We have the young players led by Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo and now joined by the likes of Carlos Tevez, Nani and Anderson.

"I am not becoming youth-obsessed either, with experience represented by (Paul) Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who, in my view, will play until they are 36, such have been their lifestyles. There is many a pitfall for celebrity players but those two have avoided all the traps and set fine examples for those coming up behind them."

That could be taken as a mild criticism of another of this club's golden generation, David Beckham, though Giggs was undoubtedly outstanding again here. The 33-year-old has long since become his manager's voice on the pitch, his presence offering reassurance and class to United's approach.

"He's an outstanding talent but United are a very good team with pace in all areas," said the visiting manager, Mark Hughes. "They have strength, power, pace . . . those qualities, allied with outstanding skill, make them a very difficult team to overcome."

Hughes, who admitted he was "frustrated" at the decision to send off his midfielder David Dunn for two bookable offences, has been mentioned as a potential successor to Ferguson when the United manager eventually brings down the curtain on his Old Trafford career.

"Every time we play against an opponent managed by one of my old players, this crops up," added Ferguson. "It's unfair on whoever is being discussed at the time. Also it's trying to shove me out the door quicker than I want to go. I'm fit and healthy and, as long as that continues, I want to go on."

Chelsea coach Avram Grant admitted his side had thrown away two valuable points when allowing Tim Cahill to dramatically cancel out Didier Drogba's opener at Stamford Bridge. Drogba put Chelsea ahead in the 71st minute but Cahill struck with an overhead kick two minutes from time.

Chelsea had wasted a host of chances before Drogba struck - and Grant accepted their defensive lapse had cost them dear.

Grant said: "We played well and created a lot of chances - the other team didn't create chances. They had one chance and scored - we scored one goal from many chances.

"I am happy with the football, but not with the result. The most important thing is that we continued to play good football.

"One month ago, the goalkeeper and the back four were different players. We showed we have a good squad and good players. I am happy, apart from the result.

"We lost two points today. It is disappointing. We want to win every game and play good football. But you can dominate and create chances, and the other team can score from nowhere."

Grant lost Ricardo Carvalho in the first half to a back injury, and the Portuguese defender will have a scan to determine the extent of the damage tomorrow.

Carvalho joins captain John Terry, goalkeeper Petr Cech and Paulo Ferreira in the Chelsea treatment room.

Drogba's seventh goal of the season was celebrated in style by the Ivorian - a stark contrast to his mood a month ago when he claimed he wanted to quit the club.

Drogba's comments in a France football magazine sparked controversy, but Grant reveals the forward has yet to say anything to him about leaving the club.

Grant added: "I see Drogba play with a lot of passion, and he scored a good goal today. It is important what he says to me. He didn't say anything to me about leaving.

"The only way to deal with this is to say it to me. This is the right way to do things."

• Guardian Service