 The Reds claim the 2011 Community Shield in dramatic fashion at Wembley Stadium against The Blues ! Match Report - Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United Competition: FA Community Shield Kick-Off & Date: 2:30pm, Sunday, 7th August 2011 Venue: Wembley Stadium, London (Neutral) Attendance: 77,169 Manchester United beat their biggest rivals Manchester City with less than a minute remaining at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon, winning the 2011 FA Community Shield in theatrical style. Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko put The Blues into an undeserved lead before the interval, and it's fair to say The Red Devils weren't having it... Chris Smalling and Luis Nani tied the game within the hour, before Nani scored a 93rd minute winner on front of 80,000 ! Sir Alex Ferguson handed competitive debuts to goalkeeper David De Gea and winger Ashley Young. Nemanja Vidic captained the side, paired with Rio Ferdinand at the back. Chris Smalling and Patrice Evra were position at right and left fullback, as Oliveira Anderson and Michael Carrick were placed in midfield. Luis Nani provided the wide play, as Danny Welbeck was handed a start alongside the formidable Wayne Rooney up front. United dominated the early stages of the showpiece event, and it seemed Man City had to deal with more wing play that anticipated, as Smalling supported Nani on the right flank. Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko were playing havoc off-the-ball, with play acting and flailing arms galore. Micah Richards was lucky he was shown just a yellow card after a reckless lunge on Young, as The Reds continued to put pressure on their noisy neighbours. But City struck first...  Joleon Lescott capitalises on David Silva's free-kick to head over David De Gea on 38 minutes Despite United having a foothold in the game, City scored a fluke goal on 38 minutes. The designated home team were awarded a cheap free-kick by referee Phil Dowd, and took full advantage of the dead ball situation. David Silva floated the free into the box, with Joleon Lescott putting Roberto Mancini's mercenaries ahead with a looping header. Ref. Dowd and his linesmen failed to spot Lescott dragging Ferdinand to the ground before his header. Nonetheless, one way or another City had taken the lead. Rooney came close with a free-kick, while Nani and Welbeck combined to almost gift the Premier League Champions a goal before half-time. But it got worse for Manchester's pride and joy before it got better, as Edin Dzeko whizzed past Vidic and launched a long-rage strike into David De Gea's right hand corner. There was little the Spaniard could have done to prevent City's second. Sir Alex was no doubt raging with his side's defence, who had looked ever so sharp until the opposition took the lead. Dzeko had scored right on the 45 minute mark, and there was no response from United in the dying embers of the first period. Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Tom Cleverley entered for the second half, which saw Ferdinand, Vidic and Carrick replaced in favour of youth. It was a risky tactic that supporters could see ending up pear-shaped...  Edin Dzeko furthers Man City's lead before the break, putting his side 2-0 up against United But as is usual with the great Sir Alex, his substitutions worked miracles for the boys in Red. There was no way on earth City could justify their 2-0 advantage, as United set about chipping away at the scoreline. And there was little doubt who's fans were the most supportive... United sold their ticket allocation weeks ago, while City - the great pretenders of the North West - had thousands of empty seats on display in their section of the London stadium. Young drifted in a delicious ball to Smalling from a free-kick, and United's young English defender stuck out a foot to see the ball make it's way past Joe Hart. The Reds were back in it, and their momentum looked unbeatable. As we have seen in so many matches, when The Devils are behind they can create hell for their opposite numbers. The Community Shield was going to be no different. Smalling's goal was only the start of a fightback. Minutes after Smalling's 52nd minute goal, United were ripping City apart in their own half. After a spell of possesion, Rooney exchanged passes with Nani, before playing Cleverley through into the box who in-turn cued for Nani to chip over the helpless Hart. It's only the first game of the new 2011/2012 competitive season, but the 2-2 equalising goal will take some beating to knock it off it's perch as the best team goal. A stunning way to level the game.  Chris Smalling fires in a 52nd minute goal thanks to Ashley Young's free  Luis Nani ties the match level with 58 minutes on the clock, credit to Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley Rafael Da Silva replaced Evra for United, while City sub Adam Johnson had his work cut out to beat De Gea, who saved superbly from the midfielder's attempt. The Red Devils had their own chances, but after Nani's goal they settled down a bit and allowed City to test their backline. The Champions shielded The Blues' challenge, regaining their energy before trying their to win the game late on similar to Michael Owen, Rooney and Paul Scholes' winners. But Mancini's men weren't in the mood to let their big brothers get revenge after last season's FA Cup Semi-Final result. Cleverley had a golden opportunity, but lashed over the crossbar. Heading for penalties, Dimitar Berbatov was drafted in for the impressive Welbeck. Dzeko missed a free header, before Rooney's clearance wasn't dealt with by Vincent Kompany. Nani nicked the ball from the defender on the halfway line and bared down the field towards goal... The rest is history. One-on-one with Hart in the 93rd and final minute, Nani dummied and then rounded the goalie, before slotting home a late 3-2 winner to clench the 2011 FA Community Shield on front of the travelling allotment of Manchester United followers. Although it's a pre-season game, silverware is silverware and to teach Manchester City a lesson in football is priceless. Football prevails against money... Bring on the new campaign !  Luis Nani nets a sensation winner deep into injury time to get the better of Manchester City !  It never gets old: Manchester United celebrate their record 19th FA Community Shield victory United Team: David De Gea, Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand (Phil Jones '46), Nemanja Vidic (Jonny Evans '46), Patrice Evra (Rafael Da Silva '71), Luis Nani, Michael Carrick (Tom Cleverley '46), Oliveira Anderson, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck (Dimitar Berbatov '89). Goals: Smalling '52, Nani '58, '90+3 Bookings: Anderson '20, Evra '40 CommentsMary 07/08/2011 4:38pm
:D Great how the young lads are playing!!! *we do what we want* Epic United 07/08/2011 4:49pm
United forever...still have the come back spirit simpson 07/08/2011 4:50pm
wow excellent result before start of season its shows fighting spirit in young Manchester united team....... Kas 07/08/2011 4:50pm
Awesome.. Performance of REAL CHAMPIONS. Bren 07/08/2011 4:53pm
Take a bow Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young Tom 07/08/2011 5:04pm
Welbeck played well. Shahied 07/08/2011 5:04pm
Tom cleverly, the new 'andres iniesta'! l33bo 07/08/2011 5:12pm
and people were slating Ashley young sayin he was a bad signing Hio 07/08/2011 5:16pm
Cleverly is very clever guys... Skemdevil 07/08/2011 5:18pm
Smalling, Evans jones played superb! We have prob best 5 defenders in the league. Impressed by cleverly and wellbeck. Raafay 07/08/2011 5:18pm
Nani and smalling will be remembered in united's history Hio 07/08/2011 5:19pm
De Gea still need more games... Hio 07/08/2011 5:29pm
The fact is our second half team had an average age of 22. That’s very impressive. simpson 07/08/2011 5:34pm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2023449/Manchester-City-website-claims-won-Community-Shield.html RoisinMc 07/08/2011 5:35pm
Well DOne United Great comebak even though the second goal shouldn hav gone n the first place but fairplay to united they struckk with them and won in the end...... Mikeyy 07/08/2011 5:46pm
Jus shows city spendin 500 mil and still no wer neer the level ov united..they got a fing that united got tha money cnt buy..team work and spirit united for the 20th title and we will get it!! very true 07/08/2011 5:46pm
I personally think that Anderson was not bad . Nano was amaZing and so were jones and young. Not a big Evans fan but he was great aswell. True Red 07/08/2011 6:15pm
United's 2nd goal was outstanding ! Hats off to the way Cleverley played , without a doubt , he is better than Carrick ! Nani , is proving himself , must be in the starting eleven everytime ! Great wayy to start the season !!! l33bo 07/08/2011 6:23pm
I'm backing nani to b player of the year guys he looked hungry. Aritra 07/08/2011 6:31pm
who needs sneijder , cleverly looks a class apart, welbeck was phenomenal and we still have chicha to come back. Arthur 07/08/2011 6:39pm
YYYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSS Marc 07/08/2011 6:52pm
Give De Gea sometime. He needs to adapt to English football. Johnez 07/08/2011 8:12pm
FACT OF THE DAY: Anthony 07/08/2011 8:39pm
Johnez > very funny. In all serious, did anyone hear Fergie say "no, dont think so" when asked if there would be anymore signings? It was on ITV highlights show. Another smoke screen? Arfaan11 07/08/2011 10:01pm
Gr8 come back,fully deserved Arfaan11 07/08/2011 10:01pm
Ha ha Gud 1 johness Smirnoffpete 07/08/2011 10:28pm
Today was a great game even my head was down at half time but wow what a second half the subs played superb bring it on it's going to be a good season:))) GGMU 08/08/2011 3:50am
Johnez, brilliant comment mate n very tru. Thought phil jones was excellent, his passin was really good, n his readin of the game was on par to some ones whos been playin 4 years. The future is definitely red! Dmiller 08/08/2011 6:54am
Da gea should of done way better on both goals.To unsure on crosses and the second come on now. Akapps 08/08/2011 1:03pm
When will ferguson realise? Carrick OUT! Sal19 08/08/2011 1:52pm
I remember that a few weeks ago people were saying that we not good enuogh and that other teams around us have made improvements(better signing) etc.. Fans were saying the SAF lost the polt and needs replacing. To all of these so called Die Hard MAN U fans.. What do u think now?? Sid... 09/08/2011 5:17am
Gotta say folks - I'm a little disappointed that not enough people picked up on how well Anderson played. If you watched the game very closely, you'd have seen how many clever passes Anderson played. Some simple touches, one touch passes and sone quality through balls. He does it so simply and effortlessly that it's easily overlooked. At the start of last season I stated that it would be Nani's season and it was! Mark my words...."this is Anderson's season!" Darren 09/08/2011 4:20pm
Don't slate De Gea. He's not used to crosses and there wasn't much he could have done about the first. Second should have been saved but Vidic should have put more pressure on Dzeko. He made two fine saves after HT so I think he'll be okay. Comments are closed. |  
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