United deliver early blow to rivals Chelsea

Manchester United delivered an early blow to title rivals Chelsea with a 3-1 victory over the Pre-mier League champions in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium yesterday.

Alex Ferguson’s team have spent the close-season licking their wounds after being pipped to the title by the Blues, but they underlined their determination to regain the crown with a ruthless display in the annual curtain-raiser to the English top-flight season.

A first-half goal from Antonio Valencia put United in front and new signing Javier Hernandez added the second after the break.

Salomon Kalou got one back for Chelsea, but Dimitar Berbatov’s late strike ensured United have the early momentum heading into the new campaign.

Berbatov’s goal was the product of a 20-pass move.

“It’s my first goal of the season, so it’s a really good day,” said the Bulgarian.

This may have been no more than a glamorous friendly, but there was definite edge to the match as these two old rivals tried to land a psychological blow ahead of the Premier League kick-off on Saturday.

Wayne Rooney responded to jeers from Chelsea fans with a superb cross-field pass towards Valencia, who out-paced the stumbling Ashley Cole but could not quite lift his chip over Henrique Hilario.

Ancelotti’s double winners, who beat United in the Shield last season, threatened when Nicolas Anelka’s powerful long-range effort tested Edwin van der Sar.

Branislav Ivanovic forced Van der Sar into a much more difficult save when the Serbian defender towered above Nemanja Vidic to meet Malouda’s free-kick with a bullet header.

Rooney had been one of England’s most disappointing performers in South Africa, where he looked completely devoid of his usual enthusiasm. Back in a United shirt he was once again the effervescent figure who terrorised defences last season.

Inevitably, he played a key role when United took the lead in the 41st minute.

Scholes, in sublime form, spotted Rooney’s run and found him with a long pass that dropped in behind Cole. Valencia, having sprinted clear of Cole, found himself in yards of space and met Rooney’s superb delivery with a cool finish past Hilario.

That was Rooney’s last contribution as Ferguson sent on Hernandez, Berbatov and Nani at half-time.

Chelsea have been below their best during a pre-season marred by three successive defeats and Carlo Ancelotti’s team were missing Didier Drogba’s imposing presence, so it was no surprise when the Ivorian came off the bench after an hour.

Ancelotti also brought on Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun, a close-season signing from Liverpool, for the last 18 minutes, but it was United who scored again in the 76th minute.

Valencia drilled over a low cross that Hernandez converted at the far post in comical fashion, the Mexican slipping as he shot and seeing the ball bounce off his foot and onto his head before flying into the net.

Ivory Coast striker Kalou reduced the deficit when he tapped-in after Van der Sar palmed Daniel Sturridge’s shot into his path.

But United had the last word as Berbatov took Nani’s pass in stoppage time and floated a perfect chip over Hilario to seal the win.

Blades draw

Jay Bothroyd salvaged a point for Cardiff in their Championship opener against Sheffield United yesterday.

The Blades were leading through Ched Evans’s early strike but were reduced to 10 men after just 30 minutes when Matthew Lowton was shown a straight red card.

And Cardiff, last season’s beaten play-off finalists, dragged themselves level when Michael Chopra rounded Blades keeper Steve Simonsen and teed up Bothroyd for the equaliser.

Malta international Daniel Bogdanovic made his first official showing for Sheffield United when coming on as a 68th-minute substitute.

He replaced Evans with the score already reading one-all.