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It's probably not going to make up for losing the 2008 Champions League final in rainy Moscow, but Chelsea got a modicum of revenge against Manchester United Sunday by defeating the reigning Premier League champions 4-1 in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 2-2 draw after 90 high-octane minutes at London's Wembley Stadium. The traditional curtain-raiser for the English season featured a little bit of everything, with the two world powers trading blows and giving each other everything they could handle. The game probably had a little more juice than other Community Shield matches due to the longstanding rivalry between the clubs.
The win gives Chelsea's new Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti his first trophy with the Blues less than three months after taking over at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea appeared on track to win the match in regulation, rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit behind goals from longtime standbys Ricardo Carvalho and Frank Lampard.
Yet Manchester United forced penalties through Wayne Rooney's stoppage time goal on a nice pass from substitute Ryan Giggs that allowed him to get behind the Chelsea defense.
Any momentum from the last second goal was doused quickly for United. Chelsea cooly and causally went 4-for-4 from the spot, while Petr Cech stopped weak shots from Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra.
The match, as if written to script, featured its share of controversial moments, too. The Cheslea go-ahead goal came after Michael Ballack collided with Evra outside the Chelsea box. The Blues broke quickly, with 3-on-2 scenario and Didier Drogba centering to Frank Lampard, who ripped a shot off the hands of United keeper Ben Foster. The United players protested, but to no avail.
Despite the loss of all-world attacker Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, there were signs of encouragement for Manchester United. Nani, who's so far underwhelmed at Old Trafford, scored the game's first goal on a nice juke and long range shot from outside the penalty area, although the Portuguese winger left the game in the second half with an apparent shoulder injury.
United did look sharp offensively in the first half, but probably need to figure on a way to hold down the fort until defender Nemanja Vidic and No. 1 keeper Edwin van der Sar return from injuries. Rooney will need to keep supplying goals, too, as Michael Owen acclimates himself to the squad. And with Sir Alex Ferguson still pulling the strings, United obviously cannot be counted out, though winning a fourth-straight Premier League title does seem unlikely from a purely odds perspective.
More than anything, Sunday was a clear signal of intent from Chelsea. If the Blues weren't already the favorites to win the 2009-10 Premier League, they took a major step in that direction even if the victory came from penalties.
Chelsea was probably the best team last season, but let the coaching turmoil from Phil Scolari boil over and derail the season. So long as things remain harmonious with Ancelotti, Chelsea has a deep, talented squad that should thrive in both the league and more importantly the UEFA Champions League.
It'd almost be a fluke if the Community Shields ends up being the last piece of silverware hoisted by the Stamford Bridge outfit this season.
