In a highly competitive match, Manchester United claimed the first silverware of the season as they defeated Chelsea 3-1 in the FA Community Shield.
Antonio Valencia, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov all scored for United as they triumphed to their 18th Community Shield title (14th out right and 4th joint title).
In somewhat surprising fashion, Sir Alex Ferguson opted to name Nemanja Vidic captain for the day, but it was more than likely a thank you for staying and signing a new deal.
Open
In a very wide open beginning of the match, Wayne Rooney's perfectly placed long-range pass sprung Antonio Valencia in behind the Chelsea defense, but his cheeky lob was easily handled by Hilario.
Following a good spell of possession, Valencia spotted a wide open Paul Scholes, but ageless midfielder volley flew well over Henrique Hilario's crossbar.
Chelsea had a wonderful chance to open the scoring themselves after Edwin van der Sar spilled Nicolas Anelka's shot, but Salomon Kalou cut back across the goal mouth went unclaimed and United cleared their lines.
van der Sar atoned for his errors in the early going by leaping well to his left to keep out Brandislav Ivanovic's well-placed header.
Fabio made a great run down the left-hand side and his cross was only half-cleared by the Chelsea defenders and fell to Scholes and instead of hitting it from distance he chipped the ball over the top to Rooney, but the Englishman screwed his effort wide of the far post.
In predictable fashion, the game turned into a bit of a tennis match with each team creating half-chances, but with three touches of the ball United dissected the Chelsea defenders and got their noses in front.
A fantastic long ball from Scholes found Rooney on the right and his first-touch pass picked out Valencia inside the box, and without hesitation, the Ecuadorian winger smashed the ball into the back of the net to give United lead heading into the break.
Sir Alex decided to make three changes at the interval bringing Berbatov, Hernandez and Nani on for Michael Owen, Rooney and Ji-Sung Park, respectively.
Florent Malouda had the real first chance of the second-half, but his shot from 18-yards went just wide of van der Sar's left post.
Chicharito's first chance to show his natural talents came moments after Malouda's chance, but Berbatov could only get a slight touch on his pinpoint pass as the chance came to nothing.
Chelsea started to come alive after the introduction of Didier Drogba, which also shifted their formation into more an attacking one. Kalou, Michael Essien and Malouda and Cole all failed to beat van der Sar - or find the target - following a good spell of possession from the Blues.
Following a good run and layoff by Berbatov, Chicharito finally had his first sight at goal, but the young Mexican screwed his shot horribly wide.
Like he was doing all match, Valencia left Ashley Cole in his wake and played a wonderful ball across the face of goal, and Chicharito scored his first official goal for United after his initial shot caromed off his face and into the back of the net.
Former Manchester City youngster, Daniel Sturridge, found himself in behind the United defense, but van der Sar got down well to save his effort, but Chelsea found the back of the net.
Sturridge cut in on his favored left foot and he unleashed a fine effort that van der Sar parried into the path of Kalou and the Ivory Coast forward slotted the ball into the near post.
The goal encouraged Chelsea to push forward in search of the equalizer and made for very tasty last five minutes of the match, however, it was United who scored.
Following a string of 19 consecutive passes, Nani's lifted-pass led Berbatov behind Jeffrey Bruma, and the Bulgarian's delightful chip found the back of the net, which ended Chelsea's hopes of lifting the first piece of silverware.
Matchball
Scholes showed that, even though he may not have the pace of the Chelsea midfielder, he still has the class to out pass his opposition.
Long or short, Scholes' passing and vision was class, and Sir Alex will rely heavily on the Ginger Prince this season.
Manchester United got their season off to a flying start with a convincing win over Chelsea to claim the FA Community Shield, but they need to continue this form throughout the grueling 38-game Barclays Premier League season.
Ratings
E. van der Sar - 8; J. O'Shea - 7, N. Vidic - 7, J. Evans - 6, Fabio - 6 (C. Smalling - 5); A. Valencia - 7, M. Carrick - 7 (D. Fletcher - x), P. Scholes - 8 (R. Giggs - x), J. S. Park - 6 (Nani - 6); W. Rooney - 6 (J. Hernandez - 7), M. Owen - 5 (D. Berbatov - 7)
Goals
A. Valencia, J. Hernandez, D. Berbatov
Bookings
None
Contributed by David Hammons / United View From Abroad
No comments:
Post a Comment