United lifts shield for 15th time.

The title of  community shield, did not connotate a defense display by both Manchester club's, as each team went for the throat, and an thrilling opening to the new season.  The final game, capping off of the pre season ended emphatically with a Manchester derby, that had almost everything. A rip-roaring start, shenanigans from Balotelli , goals, and bone-crunching tackles.  Both teams were off  to the races from the start as United looked much the better side, pinning City back for most of the first half. The sky blues' had trouble coping, racking up 5 yellow cards in the first half. Yet, when Phil Dowd blew for the break, City was up 2-0. United's  new boy David De Gea looked an easy target in goal,at fault for the goal's as he failed to come for a lofted ball from a set-peice, finding the expansive fore-head of Joleon Lescott, for the first. The Spanish youngster did all but redeem himself after being caught flat-footed on a Dzeko blast from outside the box. For United's dominate showing, they failed to reap the rewards.  
The game seemed a tale of two halves when early in the second United equalized off the boot of Chris Smalling, connecting to the end of  Ashley Young's  cross. The wind where in United's sails, as once again City looked out-classed for the second as Nani scored after some  ticky-tacky play, that gave meaning to Geometry.  The game looked set to for penalties, until a stoppage time clearance from Rooney landed at City defend Vincent Kompany's feet, but a bounce in United's fortune, evaded the Belgian, and landed right in the path of  the on-rushing Nani, putting him clear in on goal, making it 3-2 United. United seal their 15     Community Shield trophy, and well deserved of their play.


Though the class of the clubs' looked slightly unbalanced, City gave it a good running, and be it early, the project on the blue side of Manchester, looks one to pay dividends. It seems every season English fan's alike bill the upcoming season as the most exciting, but it's true, this season does seem something special. Will City  announce themselves as a title challenger? Can Chelsea plus new manager AVB keep up? Will Arsenal struggle for a Champions' League spot? Can Liverpool get back into the top four? All tantalizing question that  will be answered come the business end of the campaign