Manchester City avenged their FA Cup defeat against Manchester United by winning the Community Shield 7-6 on penalties on Saturday, following a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium.
The match came to life in the final 10 minutes as United substitute Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have won it for United in normal time when he latched onto a Bruno Fernandes pass in the 82nd minute, cut inside from the right flank, and fired a clinical finish beyond the reach of a full-stretch Ederson.
But City regained their composure and found an equaliser in the penultimate minute of the 90 as Bernardo Silva, another substitute, beat Facundo Pellistri in the air to power a fine header past Andre Onana from Oscar Bobb’s right-wing cross.
Sudden death was required, with City clinching the victory when Jonny Evans chipped the ball over, and Manuel Akanji converted his spot kick, avoiding a second consecutive Wembley loss to the FA Cup winners.
Speaking with reporters after the match, United manager Erik ten Hag said the Red Devils must feel the pain of a Community Shield defeat on penalties to Manchester City to fuel them for the beginning of the Premier League season.
He said, “When the performance is right, and when you lose, everyone feels this. It hurts in your stomach.
“You have to feel pain, and we have to hurt. We have to take this belief into the league.”
Also speaking, City manager Pep Guardiola said starting the new season with a title is a really good thing.
He said, “To start the season with a title is good. We are really pleased.
“It is nice to play this game because it means you won something in the previous season.
“Now we see how the players come back. The target now is not to win the Premier League. It is ‘OK, next game, try and win it’. This is what we have to do.”
AFP
