Great day for the club: Kompany
City sound league warning after Community Shield win.
BIRMINGHAM:
Manchester City underlined their determination to retain the Premier League title as the champions warmed up for the new season with a hard-fought 3-2 win over 10-man Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Roberto Mancini’s side will kick off their title defence against Southampton next weekend and this was the ideal preparation as City came from behind to win in a fiery encounter including a red card and eight bookings at Villa Park.
Fernando Torres had given Chelsea the lead in the 40th minute, but City duly capitalised with strikes from Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez before Samir Nasri got their third on 65 minutes. Although Chelsea substitute Ryan Bertrand pulled one back 10 minutes from the end with his first goal for the club, City held on to record their first win in the traditional curtain raiser to the English top-flight season since 1972.
“It was a great day for the club again, it doesn’t matter what the trophy is, we’ll celebrate it,” said City captain Vincent Kompany. “But it will be a tough league this season because you could see the quality Chelsea have. If we can improve on last season I’ll be very happy.”
The win completed an encouraging day for City after they earlier had a bid accepted for Everton’s England midfielder Jack Rodwell.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2012.
Manchester City underlined their determination to retain the Premier League title as the champions warmed up for the new season with a hard-fought 3-2 win over 10-man Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Roberto Mancini’s side will kick off their title defence against Southampton next weekend and this was the ideal preparation as City came from behind to win in a fiery encounter including a red card and eight bookings at Villa Park.
Fernando Torres had given Chelsea the lead in the 40th minute, but City duly capitalised with strikes from Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez before Samir Nasri got their third on 65 minutes. Although Chelsea substitute Ryan Bertrand pulled one back 10 minutes from the end with his first goal for the club, City held on to record their first win in the traditional curtain raiser to the English top-flight season since 1972.
“It was a great day for the club again, it doesn’t matter what the trophy is, we’ll celebrate it,” said City captain Vincent Kompany. “But it will be a tough league this season because you could see the quality Chelsea have. If we can improve on last season I’ll be very happy.”
The win completed an encouraging day for City after they earlier had a bid accepted for Everton’s England midfielder Jack Rodwell.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2012.