Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
EL Salvador
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates

Man City1 - 1Man Utd

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 August 2024, 16:15
Manchester City avenged their FA Cup final loss to Manchester United with a 7-6 penalty-shootout win over Erik ten Hag's men in the Community Shield following a 1-1 draw in Saturday's Manchester derby at Wembley Stadium.

While both bitter rivals came close in the first half through young prospects - James McAtee struck the post while Amad Diallo passed when he should have shot from a few yards out - there were no shots on target before the break, the first time since October 2016 where there were no such attempts in the first half of a Manchester derby.

A disallowed Bruno Fernandes stunner would ostensibly be the catalyst for a frenetic second half, where the ex-Sporting Lisbon man then teed up Alejandro Garnacho, whose low strike would seemingly prove decisive.

However, the birthday boy Bernardo Silva - celebrating turning 30 in the best way - met Oscar Bobb's cross on the stroke of full time to force penalties, although the Portuguese playmaker went first for the Premier League champions and was denied by Andre Onana.

An astounding Ederson stop from Jadon Sancho forced sudden death, though, and after a terrible effort from Jonny Evans, Manuel Akanji's final spot kick clipped the underside of the crossbar and ended Man City's Community Shield curse.

The Citizens had suffered three successive losses in the curtain-raiser before the 2024 edition - including in last year's clash with Arsenal - but thanks to a combination of Silva, Ederson and Evans, City hoisted the Community Shield aloft for the first time since 2019.

Birthday boy Bernardo saves City's bacon before Akanji penalty redemption

Offered a rest from the first whistle as McAtee pulled the strings in the number 10 role, Silva watched on helplessly as Pep Guardiola's side struggled to make their mark in the final third, although it was not for a lack of trying from their wide men.

Bobb in particular sought to attack the Man United backline at every opportunity, and just seven minutes after Garnacho's opener, the Norway international came up with a critical contribution, getting to the byline and chipping in a delicate dink to the back post.

Bobb's cross was on the money for Silva, who caught Facundo Pellistri unawares and easily out-muscled the Uruguayan winger before heading in past a stranded Onana, who could only watch Silva's effort ripple the top corner.

However, penalty role reversal saw Silva stand and watch the Cameroon international beat away his low effort, prolonging the Portuguese's 12-yard pain following his memorable failure against Real Madrid in the Champions League, but his spot-kick gaffe ultimately did not matter in the end.

Indeed, Swiss defender Manuel Akanji - who memorably missed the penalty that sent his nation crashing out of Euro 2024 in the quarter-finals to England - stepped up to the plate and exorcised that ghost with a terrific effort into the roof of the net, as Guardiola adds another winners' medal to his collection.

Alejandro Garnacho punishes Man City passiveness

For all of Man City's intricate build-up play and possession, Guardiola's side were otherwise found wanting in front of goal, as Onana received more than adequate protection from a patched-up Man United backline.

Casemiro rolled back the years in the Red Devils' midfield, while Fernandes was in the mood in the number 10 role and was responsible for the goal that sparked pandemonium from Wembley's red-clad end.

With eight minutes of normal time remaining, the Portuguese playmaker found Garnacho with a slick outside-of-the-boot pass, and his South American colleague took the game to the Citizens' backline, driving infield as Guardiola's men backed off.

Having been invited to shoot from 15 yards out, Garnacho accepted the offer and expertly found the far corner past Ederson's futile reach, although the smiles on Red Devils' faces were wiped out just a few moments later.

Marcus Rashford's goalscoring misery continues

Alongside Diallo and Mount's failed link-up in the first half, Marcus Rashford - who is aiming to banish a disappointing 2023-24 campaign to the past - was guilty of wasting a golden chance, opening up his body but curling wide from a promising area.

The England international was offered a gilt-edged opportunity to make up for that misdemeanour in the 75th minute, as Ten Hag's team turned defence into attack in the blink of an eye with a sizzling counter-attack, as Fernandes released Garnacho down the right.

The Argentine did what was required of him with a beautiful curling pass into the unmarked Rashford, and the whole of Wembley were seemingly just waiting for the net to bulge, but the 26-year-old inexplicably struck the outside of the post.

Replays showed that the ball struck Rashford's shin before clipping the frame of Ederson's goal, but regardless of which body part was involved, few could have foreseen the Englishman failing to find the target. On a day where he could have easily notched a brace for himself, Rashford departs with a familiar sense of attacking frustration, as his shooting boots continue to elude him.

What next for Man United and Man City?

Following their slog in the Community Shield, both Man United and Man City now switch their attention back to Premier League matters ahead of their first games of the 2024-25 season next weekend.

The Red Devils have the honour of playing in the campaign's inaugural match, away to Fulham on Friday night, two days before Guardiola's men start their title defence away to Chelsea.

Show more

Top News

2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven and Premier League powerhouses Arsenal both have some recent wrongs to right in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at the Philips Stadion. 2 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have Myles Lewis-Skelly back at his disposal for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg away to PSV Eindhoven. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk PSV Eindhoven new boy Lucas Perez will be denied a reunion with former club Arsenal when his side welcome the Gunners to the Philips Stadion for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Clashing in European competition for the third year running, Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and Premier League powerhouses Arsenal meet at the Philips Stadion on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. 2 March 2025 talksport.com Wigan have sacked manager Shaun Maloney just hours after their defeat to Reading on Saturday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will welcome Atletico Madrid to Bernabeu on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid attacker Julian Alvarez can close in on a Rojiblancos record when his side face fierce rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at the Bernabeu on Tuesday. 2 March 2025 talksport.com Dele Alli was named in the Como matchday squad for the first time this weekend. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham remains on the naughty step for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg with Madrid derby rivals Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Milan are reportedly considering making a move for Manchester United attacker Mason Mount during this summer's transfer window. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Flashpoints and flair are to be expected in the pick of the Champions League last-16 ties, as bitterest foes Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet at the Bernabeu in Tuesday's first leg. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United Under-18s head coach Adam Lawrence has said that the Red Devils are "really excited" about the development of Jaydan Kamason, who could soon be handed a first-team opportunity at the club. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Meeting for a second time in this season's Champions League, Club Brugge and Aston Villa will clash at Jan Breydelstadion on Tuesday evening, in the first leg of their last-16 tie. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said that summer departures at Old Trafford are inevitable, with the Red Devils expected to make sweeping changes in order to be able to boost their squad for the 2025-26 campaign. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arguably now Mikel Arteta's best shot at bringing silverware to the Arsenal faithful this season, the Gunners return to a Champions League setting on Tuesday evening, facing PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their last-16 clash. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Vancouver vs. LA Galaxy (Sunday, 10.00pm) The Vancouver Whitecaps can win their first two matches of a Major League Soccer campaign for the first time since 2018 when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday at BC Place Stadium. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Caykur Rizespor vs. Alanyaspor (Sunday, 10.30am) As both sides look to define their season in the Turkish Super Lig, Caykur Rizespor are set to host Alanyaspor at the Caykur Didi Stadyumu on Sunday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Heerenveen vs. AZ (Sunday, 11.15am) Aiming to make it four straight league victories and crack the top three of the Eredivisie table, AZ Alkmaar will travel to the Abe Lenstra Stadion to take on Heerenveen on Sunday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes vs. Getafe (Sunday, 1.00pm) Getafe will be bidding to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they head to Leganes on Sunday afternoon. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Monza vs. Torino (Sunday, 11.30am) Serie A's bottom club Monza will try to spark an unlikely escape from relegation on Sunday, when they face mid-table Torino. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Union Berlin vs. Holstein Kiel (Sunday, 2.30pm) Holstein Kiel must start picking up points to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga, beginning on Sunday away from home against Union Berlin at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lyon vs. Brest (Sunday, 2.00pm) Lyon will be aiming to return to winning ways when they welcome a struggling Brest side for round 24 of Ligue 1 this Sunday. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Hibernian vs. Hearts (Sunday, 12.30pm) Two sides looking to strengthen their places in the top six of the Scottish Premiership will come together on Sunday afternoon as Hibernian host Hearts at the Easter Road Stadium. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle vs. Brighton (Sunday, 1.45pm) Continuing their pursuit of a domestic cup double, Newcastle United take on Brighton & Hove Albion in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final showdown at St James' Park. 2 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly set his sight on playing at the 2026 World Cup and is ready to accept a reduced role with the Citizens next season in order to secure his place with Belgium at the tournament. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly monitored Georgian wonderkid Saba Kharebashvili amidst interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wilfried Zaha has wasted no time adjusting to life in MLS with Charlotte FC. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In a clash that could impact the race for European football and the relegation battle in the Turkish Super Lig, Istanbul Basaksehir are set to host Sivasspor at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Monday.