play_arrowRADIO ROXI TIMELESS TUNES
Manchester City have claimed the first trophy of the new season, with Pep Guardiola’s side beating Manchester United on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win the Community Shield on Saturday.
City had gone into the game hoping to avoid a repeat of what happened back in May, when they lost 2-1 to their fierce rivals in the final of the FA Cup.
Guardiola opted to give youngsters James McAtee, Nico O’Reilly, Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis the chance to impress on Saturday.
And City avenged their FA Cup defeat from earlier in the year, with the defending Premier League champions winning on penalties after goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bernardo Silva to secure Community Shield glory.
Man City star Bernardo Silva celebrates his goal against Man Utd in the Community Shield on Saturday
PA
Garnacho was left on the bench at the start of the fixture but came on in the 59th minute of the match.
Deployed on the right wing, having replaced Amad, he immediately started to pose a threat.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Garnacho broke the deadlock – with the youngster scoring after a terrific run towards the box. That, for a brief while, seemed to be that.
Yet City are champions for a reason and showed exactly why, with Silva scoring a brilliant header to draw them level in the closing stages.
JUST IN: Omar Berrada booed by Man City fans as Man Utd chief appears on big screen at Community Shield
The Portugal international, another substitute, headed home after a superb cross from Oscar Bobb.
With nothing to separate the two teams, a penalty shootout was ultimately required. Nerves were felt within Wembley, despite the Community Shield often being seen as a glamorous friendly, with fans from both sides on the edge of their seats.
Andre Onana immediately gave United hope of winning early on, with the Cameroon international saving from Silva.
However, misses from Jadon Sancho and Jonny Evans proved costly – with defender Manuel Akanji scoring the winning penalty for City to add to their growing trophy haul.
READ MORE: Community Shield scandal explained as Man City and Man Utd prepare for battle at Wembley
The match was a tight affair at Wembley, with City starting stronger.
Talented youngster Oscar Bobb impressed during the early stages, with his pace and trickery causing issues for United’s defence.
James McAtee looked as though he’d put City ahead after being played through by Bobb.
Yet while his effort sailed past Onana, United were let off the hook with the ball striking the post before trickling out.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Man City fell behind in the Community Shield when Alejandro Garnacho struck to put Man Utd in front
GETTY
Before Garnacho’s goal, United also thought they’d done enough to go ahead.
Bruno Fernandes curled a stunning effort into the top corner, with Ederson unable to claw it away.
However, City were let off by the offside flag – with Fernandes just mistiming his run as he darted forward.
United also had a good chance when Marcus Rashford, who missed two big opportunities during the match, put the ball on a plate for Scott McTominay.
Man City star Manuel Akanji scored the winning penalty during his side’s Community Shield win over Man Utd on Saturday
GETTY
Yet McTominay was unable to connect with the ball. If he had, United would likely have gone on to win the game.
United will be encouraged by the way they played, despite suffering defeat.
On another day the result could have been different and more work must be done on finishing if they’re to close the gap on their fiercest rivals any time soon.
As for City, their victory lays down a marker as they look to win the Premier League title for the fifth year in a row. Few would bet against them given the quality of riches they possess.
BBC host Gabby Logan was back on screens for more Olympics coverage on Saturday as she reported on all the latest on the athletics.Before the show ended though, the 51-year-old presenter halted reports to turn her attention to some "sad news" about her colleague, Denise Lewis.Logan has been joined in the Stade de France by regular guests Michael Johnson, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Lewis. She explained she had an announcement before […]
copyright 2023 Radio Roxi
Post comments (0)