Chelski win

By Chris,
August 10 2009

Just weeks after losing the Audi Cup on penalties, Manchester United again failed on spot-kicks as Chelsea won the first piece of silverware of the new domestic campaign. A last-gasp equaliser from Wayne Rooney took the game to the lottery of penalties but, in front of United’s fans, woeful efforts from Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra sealed the Red Devils’ fate.

Prior to the game, a minute's applause was well observed for Sir Bobby Robson; who sadly passed away on July 31st. Both sides played out a thoroughly entertaining game that the former Fulam, Ipswich, England and Newcastle would surely have thoroughly enjoyed.

A superb strike from Nani handed the Reds the advantage, but Chelsea staged a second-half fightback and after Ricardo Carvalho restored parity, a Frank Lampard effort shrouded by controversy looked to have sealed it for the London club.

However, Rooney restored parity in the closing seconds as he latched onto Michael Owen's through-ball and tucked the ball past Peter Cech.

That took proceedings to penalties - but United were well off-target from the spot with Giggs and Evra hitting appalling efforts straight at Cech. Michael Carrick's effort prolonged the agony - but Chelsea were rampant from the spot and lashed four consecutive penalties beyond Ben Foster.

United felt justice had been done when Rooney equalised at the death after Chelsea's second goal came in contentious circumstances. Evra was injured in the build-up after a blatant body-check from Michael Ballack - but referee Chris Foy allowed play to carry on as Chelsea snatched the ball and scored through Lampard after a crisp, quick counter-attacking move.

However, Carlo Ancelotti's men took the game on penalties instead - drawing first blood for the new campaign and securing that the Shield went back to Stamford Bridge for the fourth time.

A disappointing start to the season for United - and the quintuple is already out of the window!

Full Time - Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea
(Chelsea win 4-1 on penalties)
Attendance - 85,896