Posts
All the talk in the build-up to Sunday's Community Shield centered on Manchester City's arrival as genuine contenders for the Premier League title. Having spent close to £500 million assembling a glittering squad of world-beaters, this would be the season Roberto Mancini's team outgrew their tag as Manchester United's "noisy neighbours."
But judging by the contest that unfolded between the red and blue halves of Manchester at Wembley, there remains a gap between the two teams that money just can't fill. United were sharper, more intuitive of each other and ultimately in a different class when it came to the attacking third.
"I think today we gave them footballing lesson," Wayne Rooney tweeted after the game.
It was hard to argue his point.
United had 21 shots at goal compared to City's eight. They dominated territory, enjoyed more possession and forced their opponents into a raft of reckless tackles that drew five bookings and could easily have seen them reduced to 10 men. In comparison to the well-knit champions they looked at times like a all-star team put together on the morning of the match.
That's not to say there weren't positives for Mancini. David Silva was highly influential in midfield, the Spaniard operating in most central areas and choosing his passes superbly.
It was Silva's tantalizing delivery that invited Joleon Lescott to head home the opening goal and give City an unlikely lead. Soon after they doubled their advantage when the impressive Edin Dzeko beat David de Gea from nearly 30 yards.
De Gea's performance was the one thing that will have Sir Alex Ferguson concerned this morning. The 20-year-old Spaniard, signed for £18 million from Atletico Madrid as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar, was clearly at fault for the second and perhaps should have done better with the first.
As a competitive debut it was far from convincing, but that said even a goalkeeper needs time to adjust to the faster pace of life in England's top flight.
Elsewhere, United's manager had plenty to be excited about. New signing Ashley Young was dynamic and highly influential on the left, while Chris Smalling excelled at right-back and second-half substitutes Tom Cleverley and Phil Jones gave further evidence that United's next generation is ready to fully emerge this season.
In the second half the average age of United's team was just 22. That they combined with such confidence and verve serves as a warning sign to the rest of the Premier League, and once again makes them the team to beat.
It was Young's fine free-kick that invited Smalling to pull a goal back on 52 minutes, the defender ghosting in unmarked to raise serious questions over City's defensive organization. Soon after United were level when the effervescent Nani finished a wonderful, Barcelona-esque, team move with a deft clipped finished over Joe Hart.
The match looked to be headed for penalties when the usually reliable Vincent Kompany and City's new signing Gael Clichy made a horrible hash of Rooney's long clearance. Nani was at Kompany's heels in seconds, stealing the ball off his toes before running the length of the field and rounding Hart to give United a dramatic late victory.
It was no more than the champions deserved and judging by this contest they'll be back at Wembley in 12 months' time celebrating a 20th title. City might have all the money in the world and a squad showered with riches, but they're still not playing as a team and they still lack the winning mentality that Ferguson has instilled at Old Trafford.
No comments:
Post a Comment