‘United claim opening showpiece as Van Der Sar shuts out Chelsea’
Manchester United 1 – 1 Chelsea (Man Utd win 3-0 on pens) – Community Shield – 5th August 2007
Goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar’s penalty saving heroics gave Manchester United victory in the Community Shield at Wembley as they defeated rivals Chelsea on penalties after an entertaining ninety minutes in which Ryan Giggs and Florent Malouda had struck in the first half. The stalemate allowed the Dutchman to complete heroics for his side saving first from Pizarro, then Lampard followed by a stop from Shaun Wright-Phillips which allowed Rooney to strike home the winner for his side.
The game provided spectators with an opportunity to look at the two current dominant forces in English football. Claiming all three of the major domestic prizes between them last season, it was a chance for some of the new players to show what they could do and also gave Wembley it’s first stab at hosting the ‘entrée’ for the new season since it’s completion.
Both sides were missing key players through injuries which gave an opportunity for Ferguson and Mourinho to try out different things. Without the injured Drogba up front, Chelsea fielded a small front line combination of Malouda, Cole and Wright Phillips. At the back they were without John Terry but the addition of Tal Ben Haim in the close season allowed Michael Essien to stick to his familiar position of central midfield.
United’s squad lacked the unfit Carlos Tevez along with midfield linchpin Owen Hargreaves so they went with Giggs and Ronaldo in support of Rooney, leaving Nani on the bench.
The game started as the last clash between the two had finished as a cagey chess match with both sides wanting to give little away. Despite the North West London sunshine, both sides failed to sparkle in the first twenty minutes and a shot was not taken until Ryan Giggs had an effort blocked by Ashley Cole. The left back who was once more faced with the challenge of taking on Cristiano Ronaldo was caught short again moments later when Rooney spread the play to the Player of the Year, however his cross was intercepted at the far post by Glen Johnson stopping Mikael Silvestre from tapping into an empty net.
Carrick had a shot just wide on half an hour before Wright Phillips tested Van Der Sar with Chelsea’s first real attack of the game. As the game began to open up the chances continued with Ryan Giggs giving Manchester United the lead on 35 minutes. A slick one two down the United left enabled Evra to find some space in which to pick out Giggs, the Welsh International, who’s only previous goal at Wembley came as an England Schoolboy lashed the ball into the roof of the net to reward the Old Trafford side for their positive football.
Chelsea now began to look more threatening and Wright-Phillips and Cole linked up well together troubling Ferdinand and Vidic. Manchester United seemed content to let their opponents play in front of them but Chelsea’s pace in the offensive third soon paid off as Malouda, found by an excellent ball from Ashley Cole out sprinted his marker before beating Ferdinand to steer the ball into the corner with the outside of his left foot. The Frenchman stayed down injured after netting but had given Chelsea a vital way back into the game at the perfect time.
The second half began at an equally frenetic pace as the first half had ended as more chances fell both sides way. Vidic was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when pushed in the back by Ben Haim and Ronaldo had a shot well saved by Cech. Chelsea responded by creating chances through substitute Claudio Pizzaro who fired just wide after some hold up play and were unlucky when Joe Cole just failed to find Shaun Wright Phillips with a cross.
The diminutive winger finally given a chance to produce by Mourinho put in a man of the match performance, tormenting Evra with his pace all game. The final twenty minutes allowed the managers to make chances and bring on some of their new talent. Manchester United introduced Nani into the game whilst Chelsea brought on Steve Sidwell and Pizzaro who later went onto miss a penalty. All in all the game was a thoroughly entertaining encounter and despite United’s win, Chelsea will be looking to the serious business of a game against Reading next week in a bid to claim back the title.
Both sides were missing key players through injuries which gave an opportunity for Ferguson and Mourinho to try out different things. Without the injured Drogba up front, Chelsea fielded a small front line combination of Malouda, Cole and Wright Phillips. At the back they were without John Terry but the addition of Tal Ben Haim in the close season allowed Michael Essien to stick to his familiar position of central midfield.
United’s squad lacked the unfit Carlos Tevez along with midfield linchpin Owen Hargreaves so they went with Giggs and Ronaldo in support of Rooney, leaving Nani on the bench.
The game started as the last clash between the two had finished as a cagey chess match with both sides wanting to give little away. Despite the North West London sunshine, both sides failed to sparkle in the first twenty minutes and a shot was not taken until Ryan Giggs had an effort blocked by Ashley Cole. The left back who was once more faced with the challenge of taking on Cristiano Ronaldo was caught short again moments later when Rooney spread the play to the Player of the Year, however his cross was intercepted at the far post by Glen Johnson stopping Mikael Silvestre from tapping into an empty net.
Carrick had a shot just wide on half an hour before Wright Phillips tested Van Der Sar with Chelsea’s first real attack of the game. As the game began to open up the chances continued with Ryan Giggs giving Manchester United the lead on 35 minutes. A slick one two down the United left enabled Evra to find some space in which to pick out Giggs, the Welsh International, who’s only previous goal at Wembley came as an England Schoolboy lashed the ball into the roof of the net to reward the Old Trafford side for their positive football.
Chelsea now began to look more threatening and Wright-Phillips and Cole linked up well together troubling Ferdinand and Vidic. Manchester United seemed content to let their opponents play in front of them but Chelsea’s pace in the offensive third soon paid off as Malouda, found by an excellent ball from Ashley Cole out sprinted his marker before beating Ferdinand to steer the ball into the corner with the outside of his left foot. The Frenchman stayed down injured after netting but had given Chelsea a vital way back into the game at the perfect time.
The second half began at an equally frenetic pace as the first half had ended as more chances fell both sides way. Vidic was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when pushed in the back by Ben Haim and Ronaldo had a shot well saved by Cech. Chelsea responded by creating chances through substitute Claudio Pizzaro who fired just wide after some hold up play and were unlucky when Joe Cole just failed to find Shaun Wright Phillips with a cross.
The diminutive winger finally given a chance to produce by Mourinho put in a man of the match performance, tormenting Evra with his pace all game. The final twenty minutes allowed the managers to make chances and bring on some of their new talent. Manchester United introduced Nani into the game whilst Chelsea brought on Steve Sidwell and Pizzaro who later went onto miss a penalty. All in all the game was a thoroughly entertaining encounter and despite United’s win, Chelsea will be looking to the serious business of a game against Reading next week in a bid to claim back the title.