Manchester City beat Manchester United in the Community Shield on Saturday, in the season’s traditional curtain raiser.
After a low tempo encounter for long spells, late goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bernardo Silva ensured it finished 1-1 and forced a penalty shootout at Wembley. Even that went the distance, with each team taking eight spot-kicks, until Jonny Evans’ skied shot ultimately decided the outcome of the afternoon.
Both sides were without key players heading into the game and the international tournaments severely impacted their pre-season preparations. For long spells this very much had the feel of an experimental friendly rather than a fierce derby, with the two teams a little off the pace.
City were sluggish building up from the back and misplaced too many passes into midfield, while the absence of Rodri was undeniable. Wingers Oscar Bobb and Jeremy Doku did have some bright moments down the flanks and both fired off target after cutting inside in the opening half an hour.
James McAtee perhaps should have put the Premier League champions in front in the 24th minute when City pounced on a sloppy Lisandro Martinez pass. Instead, after the ball flick into his path via Bobb, McAtee’s curling effort struck the post.
At the other end, Rashford and Amad went close after well-worked team moves, but they were a rarity in the early stages.
If City had been on top in the first period, it was United who impressed in the second and looked to have taken the lead on 53 minutes, only for Bruno Fernandes’ exquisite curled effort to be ruled offside.
The Portugal international also fired right into the arms of Ederson in the 70th minute - the first official shot on target of the afternoon - before Rashford hit the post with another breakaway chance, one he should have buried in front of the watching Lee Carsely. But, like at Wembley three months ago, City’s inability to stop United’s runs from deep ultimately cost them.
After a relatively mundane start, the final stages were frantic and with eight minutes left Alejandro Garnacho capitalised on the space Josko Gvardiol afforded him in the wide areas. He shimmied inside and with his weaker left foot placed the ball past Ederson.
That looked to have sealed a derby win for United and another Community Shield frustration for City, until Bobb wriggled past Martinez and centred the ball for the diminutive Silva to head in at the back post.
The goal forced penalties. Silva and Jadon Sancho both missed their kicks in the allotted five, which forced sudden death. After each team scored two, Evans stepped up and sent his strike over the bar, before Manuel Akanji coolly slotted home the crucial penalty.
Here’s how we rated the City players...
5. Josko Gvardiol- 5 (off 90)
Had a tough afternoon against Amad and was pulled out of position for Garnacho's goal.
6. Mateo Kovacic- 6
Made some good interceptions and stretched the United midfield with a few penetrative runs through the middle. But without Rodri, City lacked their usual control.
7. Nico O'Reilly- 6 (off 63)
Some bright moments on his City debut and he didn't look out of place on the big stage. But a few heavy touches saw him cede possession during the game.
8. James McAtee- 5 (off 80)
Another youngster who looked confident without producing many moments of real quality. McAtee nearly opened the scoring when he struck the post in the 24th minute.