United triumph in Community Shield
On just 13 occasions have the side who wins the Community Shield goes on to win the league
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Sunday, 05, Aug 2007 08:58
Manchester United have won the Community Shield after beating rivals Chelsea 3-0 on penalties at Wembley.
Edwin van der Sar made three terrific saves in the shootout with Wayne Rooney slotting home the winning penalty.
The game had finished 1-1 with Ryan Giggs' goal cancelled out by new Blues signing Florent Malouda.
Chelsea were without striker Didier Drogba and skipper John Terry, who is set to be out for a month with a knee injury.
New signing Tal Ben Haim started in place of Terry while fellow new boys Claudio Pizarro and Steve Sidwell came on in the second half.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought in Mikael Silvestre while new signing Nani came on after the interval.
In sweltering conditions, the first half was a timid affair as both sides looked to gain match practice ahead of the start of the Premiership season next week.
Ashley Cole, who was named man of the match, produced a superb challenge to deny Rooney a shot on goal on 12 minutes.
After a cagey 20 minutes, United produced the first clear-cut chance when Cristiano Ronaldo's low cross found Giggs, but the skipper's shot was blocked by Petr Cech.
The Premiership champions took the lead on 35 minutes after Patrice Evra exchanged passes with Ronaldo and crossed for Giggs with the Welshman converting the cross into the roof of the net. It was Giggs' first goal in 15 appearances at Wembley.
The Blues equalised on the stroke of half-time after Wes Brown was caught ball-watching. Malouda outmuscled Rio Ferdinand on the edge of the box and prodded the ball past Van der Sar.
United continued to edge the game and wasted three glorious chances to double their lead on 50 minutes.
First Ronaldo hit his shot against Cech with Giggs missing the follow-up while no United player was able to connect with another pass across the face of goal.
Mourinho brought on Pizarro on 52 minutes in place of winger Malouda while Nani came on for his debut in place of Silvestre on 66 minutes.
Pizarro came agonisingly close to a debut goal on 69 minutes after his 25-yard effort curled wide with Van der Sar beaten.
Ronaldo continued to wreak havoc down the left and forced Cech into a fine save seven minutes from time.
United looked more relaxed in the build-up to the shootout with Van der Sar saving spot-kicks from Pizarro, Chelsea skipper Frank Lampard, and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand slotted home their penalties before Rooney sealed the first trophy of the season for United.