THE COMMUNITY SHIELD 2011!!!!!!!!!!!

Taking place between the two "COMMUNITIES" of club football was the "Curtain Raiser" or more popularly known as the COMMUNITY SHIELD- The big money spenders Manchester City and the reigning champions Manchester United. To add spice to it, it was considered as one of the most anticipated derbies as City, after a very long time, were predicted to match United in all departments. As Sir Alex Ferguson is on his way to rebuild his team to match the spanish giants Barcelona, this match would be his opportunity to show the world that united are no ordinary team!!!!!

This match was being held in a neutral venue- New Wembly stadium and the stadium was jam packed before the match had even begun!!!! one area was a sea (city supporters) and the other looked as if it was occupied by the followers of  HEPHAISTOS- the Greek God of fire (united supporters)!!!!

United had not spent much money during the transfer market; atleast not as much as City. And it was to be seen whether City would play their new signing Aguero against the red devils. But when the team was announced much to everyone's surprise he was not named in the subs also!!!!! Maybe because he had not got adjusted to his new club. 

On the other hand united had cleverly and phil jones on the bench and they started with David De Gea and Ashley Young meaning that all their new signings would take part in this game!!!

The Premier League trophy was kept outside for everyone to see!!! It said to all the 20 teams, "whoever plays with courage and will shall have me". 

And then the whistle BLEW!!!!!!!!!!!!

And like tigers let out from the cage the players lept out towards the ball!!!! The game began with an extremely great tempo with man city picking up the holes in the manchester united  defense with ease!!!! David silva and his crosses were exquisitely timed!!!! Edin Dzeko looked bright!!!! within 10 minutes the audience knew that this was not a pre season preparatory match for the league but it was a cup match and that too between the two bitter rivals!!!!

When Man united had the ball they looked threatening with Anderson, Rooney , Nani and Young exchanging the ball brilliantly!!! There was a new look to the red devils!! They looked fresh and hungry for more!!!

The game flowed smoothly but there was nothing to cheer for for either supporters for the first 37 minutes!!!

And there came a response from Roberto Mancini's team- 37th minute free kick, taken by silva and who better to head the ball home than the former everton defender Lescott!!!! 1-0 to city!!! and the crowd shell shocked!!!!

How can this happen??!!!! Man United who posses a great strength in defence were broken so easily??!!! The young goalkeeper should have charged towards the lofted ball but did not and he paid the price!!!!
Can lightening strike twice??!!!! But indeed it did!!!!
45th minute into the game when players were looking out for the half time whistle Edin Dzeko dashed his way through the united midfield and slammed the ball to the bottom left corner of the goal- A 30 yard screamer!!!!!!!

2-0 to city!!!

Again a mistake from De Gea!!!! the goalkeeper should have done better!!! although it swerved in the air but he should have atleast got a hand to it!!!

The United team must have got a "Hair drier" treatment from Sir Alex and they, in the 2nd half showed why they are the true champions!!!!

Where many teams would have accepted defeat, United held their head held high and concentrated on playing football. And soon enough they got their fruit from a free kick taken by Ashley Young in the 51st minute. Smalling getting his right boot in the way of the ball and Joe Hart and putting it in the net.

2-1 to united!!!!!!!

With come back looking imminent ( by the way united were playing) the city players did little to stop it.
And finally the comeback was complete!!! And with style!!!

The path goes like as follows:
Cleverly to Anderson who sides foot it to rooney who gives it nani who lays it up for rooney who back heels to cleverly who in turn gives the honor to nani to equalise and nani takes the ball past the defender and flicks over Joe Hart's head into the net!!!!!!!!

2-2 united!!!!!!!!!!!
A typical Barcelona like goal to united and now they were well back and truly up and running.

The game followed the same tempo as of the first half till the 94th minute with the city fans backing up their players and united fans singing their famous "glory glory man united".
Penalties were looming large!!
But suddenly city had a chance in the last minute to win the game!!! Free kick at the edge of the area!!! And it was well taken by silva and Dzeko rose well but could not meet the ball properly which fell to rooney who aimlessly kicked the ball away towards the centre line where Richards was chasing it unaware that Nani was following it like a leopard!!! Kompany saw it and ran towards the ball but Nani was too quick for both of them and he flicked the ball away from Kompany and ran straight towards the goal!!!!

1 on 1 with the goalkeeper Nani rounded Joe Hart brilliantly and finished the game with a beautiful finish to end the game once in for all!!!!!
2-3 to United!!!!!

The United fans were ecstatic!!! And so were the players who pulled out a rabbit out of their hat. Sir Alex must have felt like a magician after the comeback. He was proud of his squad.

With this win United have warned the rest of the league contenders that they are a very difficult team to beat and they will do all they can to retain the silver trophy with them for a record 20th time!!!!! This time the league has 6 contenders!!!! 6 teams to fight for one cup!!! only one will win it!!! Who will it be??!!!!! All the answers will be revealed on the 13th of august when the premier league kicks off.


Rishabh Ghai
(Dedicated to all the Manchester United fans)