Nani powers United to Community Shield victory | Highlights
LONDON: Nani showed his charisma in the final minutes to inspire Manchester United win derby at Wembley against their arch-rivals Manchester City that also gave them the Community Shield on Sunday.
Nemanja Vidic. Courtesy: Getty Images
Manchester City were comfortably placed with two goals lead at one stage before the Manchester United rallied and came back from behind to take their revenge of the FA Cup semifinal defeat.
The Red Devils were stunned in the first half where defender Joleon Lescott and striker Edin Dzeko gave Manchester City two goals lead despite of the fact that it was Manchester United who looked impressive with their attacks and defense but lacked execution and to some extent the luck.
Nani. Courtesy: Getty Images
Joleon Lescott put the City in front in the 38th minute which was doubled by Edin Dzeko seconds before the halftime whistle.
With the English Premier League 2011-12 season kicking off from August 13, it was just the perfect curtain-raiser for the soccer fans who filled Wembley in great numbers to watch their favorite teams play the best soccer.
Manchester United celebrate Community Shield title. Courtesy: Getty Images
Starting the second half with a 2-0 deficit, Manchester United came out all guns blazing where defender Chris Smalling steering Ashley Young’s free kick past Joe Hart from close range to score the opener for the Red Devils while Nani then produced the equalizer in the 58th minute with a deft chip from an acute angle.
Match was looking all set for a penalty shootout with fans witnessing classic battle in the middle where Nani got the ball after a Manchester City corner was cleared and while the City defenders were still pondering over what exactly had happened Nani got the ball and he raced into their half and easily put the ball into the empty net.
Nemanja Vidic. Courtesy: AP PHOTO
Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Manager, told SkySports after the impressive victory, “It was a very good performance in terms of our football. I couldn’t believe we were 2-0 down at halftime but goals change games. The players kept their heads, played their football and got the result they deserved.”
Man of the Match, Portuguese winger, Nani told reporters, “We always believe we can win until the last minute. It is good to beat Manchester City like that.”
Nani. Courtesy: Getty Images
The Red Devils star striker Wayne Rooney told reporters, “Yeah of course [It’s sweeter when you beat City]. I think there was only one team who looked like winning that and we dominated from start to finish. They scored two goals from nowhere, but we still had enough to win the game.”
The match was not played without scuffles and bitterness as a total of seven yellow cards were shown by the referee where five Manchester City players getting booked as against two Manchester United players.
Rooney said, “There were no malicious tackles in the game. A few fouls, but that is something you have to deal with, but that was about it. Both teams went for the win and it was well-earned.”
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