For all the claims that the Community Shield game was a friendly, it seemed like that piece of information had not reached the two teams contesting the game. From the very first minute, when the first searing pass sent out to Valencia by the veteran Scholes, the resultant tangle with Ashley Cole, and the furious shrug off from Valencia, there was no doubt about the seriousness with which the combatants were viewing the game. Chelsea played a near full strength team, the only notable absentees from the starting line-up being the inimitable Drogba, who apparently is still nursing injury and bad memories of the World Cup and only came on as a substitute. Speaking of the World Cup, finding a single player on the field with a pleasant memory of that little tournament was an exercise of great difficulty. Man U started with Rooney, Owen, Scholes, Carrick, Valencia, Park, Vidic, Evans, O Shea, Fabio and Van der sar. They were later joined by Hernandez, Berbatov, Giggs, Fletcher and young Smalling. Of the lot, only Hernandez could have legitimate claims to having had a decent World Cup. Park had a few contributions too, but nothing to write odes to. Chelsea had Anelka, Kalou, Malouda, Lampard, Essien, Mikel, Terry, Cole, Ivanovic, Ferriera, and Hilario. Even worse off than the United cadre, you will agree.
All said and done, it was a chance to get rid of those ghosts, and begin anew. And of the lot, Rooney and Essien seemed to be the ones that wanted to treat this as a new chapter with bygones being truly bygones. Actually Rooney seemed to be looking into a past more memorable when he scored a handy 34 goals to almost get United the title last season. There was more of that Rooney on evidence today, and less of the lost-sheep variety that we saw in July. Valencia also looked all fresh and ready for another year of tormenting the left backs of the EPL. Ashley Cole was one of the few Englishmen that could claim to get 5 on 10 for his World Cup showing on Capello’s infamous rating chart, but he had his hands overfull with Valencia today. And when it wasn’t the perky Ecuadorian, he had the likes of Rooney galloping into open spaces created by a clever swapping run with Valencia, which also took care of the sturdy Terry, and left Valencia with just the goalie to beat. Which he did with great ease to take Man U a goal up. The architect of that goal was the sublime Scholes, who had a game that must have had the watching Capello wish he had picked up the phone himself when they tried a last ditch attempt to woo the veteran into taking another plunge into international waters. Ferguson certainly has a herculean task looking for his replacement. A better hope would be that Fergie and Scholes both leave football together. Let the successors worry about replacing the jewels of this crown.
The stats of the game will show that Chelsea had more shots on goal, more corners, possibly more possession. But it was the Reds that looked most threatening, and the more likely of the two teams to score. And score they did. Three times, and all goals worthy of mention in the future. Hernandez will always wonder how his goal was scored, and will spend a lot of time explaining it to fiends and team mates over a beer. Not that he looks old enough to have one. But what an inspired signing this is already appearing to be. On the back of a reasonably impressive World Cup, and a few notable mentions in the warm up games, this first goal for his new team must really be something to cherish. Even so for the manager if the boy can translate this into a fruitful first season. Among other things that Fergie can count amongst his gains from this match, was the fresh and sharper looking Berbatov. That third goal was a peach, and old Berba is probably licking his chops now. He’ll want more, that one. Rooney looked slower but definitely seems to have gotten over his maladies of the past.
There is always a down side though, and for Fergie the defense must be one to ponder. Vidic seems to have decidedly proven that the form of his first two seasons with Man U were his peak, and he’s definitely on the wrong end of the curve. Evans looked shaky too, but he’s at least got grit going for him. Smalling looked nervous, but he’s young, and is sure to improve. As is Fabio, who is already very good, and a good understudy for Evra, when the latter calls it quits. Of the rest Carrick and Owen were the most disappointing, and their lack of form is worrying only because it gives Fergie lesser options for Fletcher’s position in holding midfield with Hargreaves showing no signs of recovery. With the arrival of Hernandez, and Macheda in the wings, Owen seems set to spend more time on the bench this year.
And what of the Blues? Well, the jade of England seems to hang over the trio of Lampard, Cole and Terry. Terry did make some good raids from deep inside his half, but his indecision cost Chelsea their first goal, and he’s a lot less conspicuous on a field that he would normally own. Lampard was almost invisible during the game, but what was even more troubling was the low number of opportunities he seemed to generate for himself. The most prolific goal scorer amongst his kind last season seemed to be missing his instinct today. Essien started off well, and was involved in most of the incisive runs into the United goal. Sturridge and Anelka looked good too, but Malouda was off colour, and there was not much coming in from midfield to help remedy that. Its early days and the weekends to come should see this side pick themselves up and give their opponents something to think about
As the commentator said, the players may all say to themselves that this game meant nothing in the overall picture and could not be seen as a herald for the season to come, but it certainly gives Ancellotti a lot to think about. And Fergie a lot to be satisfied with.
