Man City lay down an early marker after Community Shield triumph | OneFootball

Manchester City lifted the first piece of silverware this season after defeating neighbours Manchester United in their FA Community Shield showdown at Wembley this afternoon.

The official curtain-raiser ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with second-half substitute Alejandro Garnacho spectacularly putting the FA Cup holders in front very late into the game before Bernardo Silva cancelled United’s lead shortly after.

With no extra time played, the contest swiftly moved to a dreaded penalty shootout, which saw Pep Guardiola’s men come out on top, winning 7-6. Jadon Sancho and Jonny Evans missed their spot kicks, while Silva had City’s first effort from 12 yards saved.

It was a result that ended a peculiar trend. Before today, of the last eight occasions the Community Shield had been contested between the previous season’s champions and FA Cup winners, the latter won the Shield on seven occasions, with the exception being City’s 2-0 win over Chelsea in 2018.

This was also City’s fourth consecutive participation. Having lost the last three on the bounce — to Leicester City (2021), Liverpool (2022), and Arsenal (2023) — this was a welcome early success for Guardiola’s side heading into their forthcoming Premier League title defence.

Often seen as part of pre-season, both teams were nowhere near full strength, especially City, who fielded several promising talents, such as midfielder James McAtee, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United.

McAtee would play 80 minutes, subsequently making way for Silva, and notably hitting the woodwork midway through the opening half. During a productive summer tour of the United States, the 21-year-old seized his opportunities. There’s a chance he could form part of City’s squad, with one notable highlight of his playing style admired by Guardiola.

“I would love to have, to keep him (James McAtee) next season with us, because he’s a special guy to play in small spaces, in the pockets, and we don’t have many,” the Spanish tactician noted.

“When you play in the Premier League in a team fighting to not be relegated (Sheffield United), you get something special… I am curious to see Macca especially. He’s a player I have a high, high opinion of, and I would like if he can insert properly with the team.”

Chances were expectedly at a premium, with only three shots on target across 90 minutes. Silva’s equaliser was City’s first shot on target in this match. On his 30th birthday, he’s the first player to score a birthday goal in the Community Shield since Kanu for Arsenal against Man Utd in 1999.

But if anyone was going to get City back into the game, it was Silva, who has now been involved in 10 goals against United in all competitions (four goals and six assists), more than against any other opponent during his time at the club.

His goal’s cancellation robbed Garnacho of another day in the Wembley sun. He also broke the deadlock in United’s previous triumph here in May, and the exciting winger, at 20 years and 40 days, became the youngest player to score in the Community Shield since Cesc Fàbregas for Arsenal against Chelsea in 2005 (18y 95d). Furthermore, he’s the youngest player to score for Man United in the Community Shield since George Best in 1965 (19y 84d).

City’s first Community Shield win since 2020 — their 18th piece of silverware hoisted under Guardiola — was United’s first runners-up finish in this game since 2009–10, having won the trophy in each of their previous four appearances.

However, it’s worth noting that the side that won the Community Shield went on to win that season’s Premier League in only one of the last 13 campaigns. That said, the one exception was City in 2018/19, and in that campaign, their success came by a one-point advantage over runners-up Liverpool.