Manchester City needed a penalty shootout to defeat last season's Premier League rivals Liverpool to get their hands on the first trophy of the season.
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| Photo from The Telegraph |
Claudio Bravo saved Georginio Wijnaldum's spot kick before Gabriel Jesus slotted home the winner at Wembley.
Though often criticised for being a glorified friendly, this year's Community Shield did not disappoint, with Raheem Sterling scoring his first goal against his former club at the 11th time of asking.
The Englishman converted David Silva's flick from close range, before he struck the post going for his second after the break.
Virgil van Dijk also found the woodwork, shooting onto the underside of the bar and Mohamed Salah also hit the post.
Joel Matip headed home from van Dijk's cross to equalise, with the Reds looking more likely to seal the win in normal time with three chances falling to Salah but all were wasted - one of which Kyle Walker spectacularly cleared off the line with a bicycle kick at head height.
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| Photo from The Sun |
German winger Sane was fit enough to climb the steps to collect his medal later - City were already in front by the time of his departure from the match with Sterling's goal coming while City were down to 10.
Kevin de Bruyne played a big hand in the opening goal, and showed what he can do at his majestic best after missing a lot of last season through injury.
The Belgian found Silva who played in Sterling to blast home - and though the placement of the shot was not great, straight at Alisson, the power he got behind it meant the Brazilian could not keep it out.
Despite flagging after the break, City could have increased their lead through Sterling and Jesus who mis-controlled a Silva through ball.
The Brazilian was sent through again by Walker, but stumbled when trying to round Alisson.
Rodri made his debut in the holding-midfielder role, he did well to imitate the man who has made that position his own for City in Fernandinho, playing simple passes while not grabbing the headlines.
But he was at fault for one of Salah's chances, as he was caught daydreaming by the Egyptian but Bravo - in his first match since this fixture last year - came off his line quickly to snuff out the chance.
Bravo took advantage of the new laws allowing goal-kicks to remain in the box to be in play, by playing short passes to Nicolas Otamendi, a tactic that Liverpool may also implement as time goes on.
Pep Guardiola got so animated at giving instructions at one stage during a break in play that he came onto the pitch and became the first manager to be shown a yellow card as per another new law implemented this summer.
In truth, City were hanging on as the 90 minutes came to a close, and were fortunate that there was no extra-time as Liverpool looked the more likely to score the winner.
The Community Shield represents the first of seven competitions Liverpool will play in this season, with their Premier League opener against Norwich on Friday and the UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea in Istanbul on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp named nine of the XI who started in the Champions League final in June, but suffered without Sadio Mane, who returns to training on Monday after finishing as runners-up in the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Divock Origi was the replacement on the left of the front three, while Roberto Firmino and Salah looked sharp without scoring.
They played less than a full pre-season friendly each after international matches, but Firmino had a good turn and volley saved while Salah could have converted after two Zinchenko errors.
Liverpool had over 64% possession in the second half and 13 shots to City's three.
City held firm though, after Matip's equaliser Zinchenko deflected a Salah shot into the roof of the net and Bravo did well to deny him after Rodri's mistake.
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| Photo from Daily Mail |
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