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Manchester City picked up their first silverware of the season at Villa Park as they overcame 10-man Chelsea 3-2 to clinch the Community Shield. Roberto Mancini’s men went in as favourites, but they found themselves a goal behind 40 minutes in courtesy of Fernando Torres’s well taken goal for Chelsea. The game swung back in City’s favour two minutes later though as Branislav Ivanovic was given his marching orders for a poor challenge on Aleksandar Kolarov.
That proved to be the turning point in the game as City were a side possessed after the break, with Yaya Toure drawing them level on 53 minutes with a strike from distance. Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri then completed the comeback with two quick goals either side of the hour mark to put City in a commanding 3-1 lead. Chelsea managed to get a goal back through substitute Ryan Bertrand in the 78th minute, but it was too little too late for Robert Di Matteo’s men. (Full Match Report)
Chelsea:
Petr Cech: 5/10
The experienced keeper could do little about the three goals that he conceded. He did make a couple of good saves in the 1st half to keep City at bay, but on the whole endured a disappointing evening.
Branislav Ivanovic: 3/10
The right-back was sent in for an early shower following his red card in the 1st half. He essentially cost his team the game as his dismissal handed the initiative to City soon after Chelsea had gone ahead.
David Luiz: 4/10
The Brazilian was left exposed after his team went a man down and was culpable for the 2nd and 3rd goal.
John Terry: 5/10
Terry has never enjoyed a duel with Carlos Tevez and he came out on the losing side once again. His hashed clearance from a cross led to Yaya Toure’s equalizer.
Ashley Cole: 6/10
The best among the Chelsea defenders, Cole once again put in a thoroughly professional performance. He wasn’t able to move forward moves down the wing though as Chelsea were pegged back from the restart.
Jon Obi Mikel- 4/10
He had an evening to forget as he failed to track the runs of Tevez and Nasri and was completely overpowered by City’s midfield.
Frank Lampard- 5/10
The veteran wasn’t given enough time on the ball to control Chelsea’s play, with Nigel de Jong for company throughout the game.
Juan Mata: 4/10
He had a poor game by his high standards, failing to feed Torres or Chelsea’s wide-men like expected.
Eden Hazard: 4/10
The only Chelsea new boy on show, Hazard showed glimpses of his talents but struggled to find space in a feisty game. The attempted back-heel which left him on the ground typified his first outing in the English game.
Ramires: 5/10
Chelsea’s Mr.Dependable was a busy presence in the first half and played a huge part in the opening goal, threading a delightful through ball for Torres. His influence waned after being shifted to right-back in the 2nd half.
Fernando Torres: 6/10
The Spaniard looked the part as he took his goal with aplomb. He did suffer from a lack of service, but led the line bravely nonetheless.Big season ahead for the former Liverpool striker.
Substitutes:
Ryan Bertrand: 5/10
Scored Chelsea’s 2nd with a lightning quick reaction to a spill from City’s keeper after coming on for the last 20 minutes.
Daniel Sturridge: 4/10
The youngster’s shot from distance led to the 2nd goal, but didn’t have too much time to make more of an impact.
Man City:
Costel Pantilimon: 4/10
The Romanian looked to have admirably stepped into the shoes of Joe Hart, until his error late in the game. He wasn’t troubled a great deal throughout the 90 minutes.
Pablo Zabaleta: 6/10
The versatile defender was a stable presence in the three-man defence and will be an important player for Mancini over the course of the season.
Vincent Kompany: 7/10
City’s Captain made a welcome return to the 1st team after recovering from a calf strain and he was at his influential best at the back. Tussled with Torres throughout the game and was guilty of committing cheap at times.
Stefan Savic: 4/10
He proved once again why Mancini doesn’t trust him on the big stage and had to be taken off at half-time.
Aleksandar Kolarov: 6/10
Kolarov has been linked with an exit all summer long, but that didn’t seem to affect him as enjoyed his wing-back role. Provided the assist for the 3rd goal and was involved in the sending off.
Nigel De Jong- 7/10
Another player rumoured to be headed for the exit door, De Jong put in a typically combative performance in the centre. He kept Lampard and the rest of Chelsea’s attacking players in check.
Yaya Toure: 8/10
City’s man for the big stage was at it once again as he scored the vital equalizer early in the 2nd half. His immense presence in midfield proved to be the difference once again.
Samir Nasri: 9/10
The Frenchman was relishing his new role at the head of midfield as he proved influential from his free-roaming position. And, he also produced the deftest of touches for the 3rd goal.
Carlos Tevez: 8/10
The troubled Argentine could prove to be Mancini’s trump card this season. He looked fitter than ever before as he produced a sprightly performance, capped off by an exquisite individual goal.
Sergio Aguero: 7/10
He was his usual, busy self in attack as he kept the Chelsea defenders in their toes with his continuous runs.
Substitutes:
Gael Clichy: 5/10
He replaced Savic at the restart and looked comfortable as part of the back three, although Chelsea were struggling with 10-men by then.
David Silva: 4/10
He made a late entry, replacing Nasri and Mancini is expected to gradually bring the Spanish maestro up to speed after his gruelling summer.
Edin Dzeko: 4/10
Another late substitute, Dzeko came on for Tevez with the clock ticking towards full-time.
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