Community Shield: Chelsea 1 - 1 Manchester United
Monday, 06 August 07, 12:45 PM · Comments (25)
Match reports
The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "While United, busier in attack, deserved to be victors, they will be conscious, too, that Chelsea's line-up was a distorted reflection of the prowess that Jose Mourinho can call on when there are fewer problems. Didier Drogba has hurt his knee and, though a scan should confirm that he will be back in 10 days, Mourinho was not confident enough of Andriy Shevchenko's fitness to use the Ukrainian here. If it was peculiar to witness Joe Cole give his own interpretation of centre-forward play, it is likely that Mourinho wanted to protect Pizarro, who eventually took part for 38 minutes, since he has no other fit strikers remaining."
Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: "Football, the sport that never sleeps, hardly seems to have had a lie-down this summer, and events here yesterday maintained familiar themes from last season. All the talk was of Chelsea's injury travails, Jose Mourinho's quixotic streak, Manchester United's rich attacking potential, and the enduring excellence of Ryan Giggs, who continues to give Old Father Time the runaround."
The Times, Oliver Kay: "A man with Mourinho’s competitive instincts would not readily concede a game of tiddlywinks - not to mention chess, as Sir Alex Ferguson did in a somewhat withering pre-match assessment of Chelsea’s entertainment value - but, as Wayne Rooney’s kick condemned them to the most perfunctory of penalty shoot-out defeats yesterday, the rueful smile across the face of the Portuguese seemed less to do with the loss of a trophy than with the potential absence of up to ten players when the new season starts for real this weekend."
The Independent, Sam Wallace: "From his place on the bench even Jose Mourinho found it hard to suppress a smile at the appaling success his team endured from the penalty spot — and he is not known for making light of failure. On the English football season's great irrelevant opening day, Edwin van der Sar was the hero but the atmosphere was soon a good deal chillier around the Chelsea manager as the start of his campaign threatened to disintegrate."
Official Chelsea FC Website, Andy Jones: "So it was a repeat of the 1997 Charity Shield, as we lost out again to United on penalties, but the closeness of the match suggests there will be a very interesting season ahead."
The goals
The good
- Florent Malouda. Played really well during the 50 minutes he was on the pitch and scored a cracking goal. Showed great tenacity and strength to hold off Rio Ferdinand before flicking the ball round Edwin Van der Sar with the outside of his left foot. Picked up a knock in the process and was eventually replaced by Claudio Pizarro, who also did okay.
- Ashley Cole. Awarded the Man of the Match champagne by the sponsors to the bemusement of some. Had a solid game in defence and played a delightful pass from which Malouda scored the equaliser. The two of them could form a pretty formidable pairing down the left. Cole probably was our man of the match.
- Tal Ben Haim. John Terry's injury means Ben Haim will have a key role to play in the first couple weeks of the season. Wasn't outstanding in this game but certainly an improvement on Khalid Boulahrouz and Robert Huth. His versatility is sure to prove invaluable. A great signing on a free.
The bad
- Injuries to John Terry and Didier Drogba. Both have knee injuries and Terry is expected to be out for at least a month, while Drogba could be back in 10 days. While the squad has more depth this season, it's got to be a concern that we still seem to rely so heavily on these players.
- Frank Lampard. Poor by his standards throughout pre-season and pretty much anonymous in this game until asked to step up and take a penalty. Let's hope his broken toe is to blame. It's certainly not Michael Ballack's fault.
- Glen Johnson. Alex Ferguson targeted him as our weakness in defence, and while he coped reasonably well I don't feel that his year-long loan at Portsmouth has improved him. He's just not quite good enough for a team hoping to win the Premiership and Champions League. Seville's Daniel Alves could be the answer.
- Penalty kicks. Utter crap. Let's just be thankful that the FA Cup Final didn't go the distance.
Man of the Match
Ashley Cole.
Final thoughts
While it would be silly to get overly negative before the season has even started, the number and frequency of injuries to key players is a worry. Terry, who looked to be back to his best in pre-season, seems to be jinxed, Ballack hasn't been fit for months, Wayne Bridge is out for a while yet, and Drogba could miss the first two games of the season. The injuries to Andriy Shevchenko, Claude Makelele, Paulo Ferreira, and Salomon Kalou aren't thought to be serious, but they're still a concern. Mourinho could do with Alex signing on the dotted line as soon as possible. The big Brazilian was granted a work permit last week so hopefully it's just a matter of time.
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I'd have to say I am concerned by the injuries, mainly due to how frequent they are. I suppose the medical staff really are earning their corn.
JT is a worry, a month without him is a long time. I'm not sure if the Drogba one isn't less of a concern, maybe Jose 'dramatising' a minor knock ??? The rest, as pointed out, we can live with.
I thought, by and large, we did well against an almost first choice ManUSA team. Glen Johnson, I'm afraid, is not a first choice RB, and the proceeds from the sale of Robben have to be spent on Alves. Ben Haim adapted well, but I always remember him being petulent against Rooney, and it was the same yesterday.
The midfield three played well, if unspectacularly, although ball retention was good, the easy 10 yard pass seemed to be something completely alien to everyone.
Malouda was very impressive up front, and I wouldnt be sorry if he 'replaced' Robben there for us. I get the feeling had it been Robben or Joe Cole in that position, we'd have witnessed a graceful, swan-like dive rather than the strength Malouda showed to hold of Jar Jar Ferdinand and finish with aplomb.
All in all, a decent run out, in a meaningless friendly, but proof we're still short of attacking options. And Jose's quote that he'd be happy if even Kalou is available for Sunday is a joke. I wouldn't.
Lets just hope we dont have to get involved in penalty shootouts this season. Or ever again.
I was disappointed with the way we played, particularly the midfield. Our main tactic is our defenders pass it to a midfielder on the half-way line, they pass it back to the defender, who then passes to another midfielder on the half-way line and so on ad infinitum. Endless 10 yard balls that don’t get anywhere gets really tedious, particularly when Frank and Mikel have difficulty finding team mates even at that range.
There doesn’t seem much creativity in midfield and none of them really got forward.
Still Malouda looks good and he’s tougher than Robben who should now go.
As for Wembley it was my first time there and whilst it’s an impressive structure it lacked atmosphere and all the seats, even my £40 one, are a long way from the pitch.
Roll on Sunday.
To be fair on the tactical side Mark, there wasn't a great deal of option in terms of outlet up front to play with so keep-ball was always likely.
Impressed by Malouda - Ashley Cole was always at his best with someone (usually Pires) in front of him. Not too bad overall, given the absences. JM definitely erred on the side of caution - I'd be surprised if a few of those absentees aren't available for next weekend.
why are we so injury prone?
is it the style of play?
what the hell is wrong with us?
hardly the best way to start the season.
And Lampard,the guy needs a rest.
I don't understand why we are going back to 4-3-3 yes it won us 2 premiership titles but its not like we play any prettier with it - playing Brazilian samba football is not our style - we play authoritatively and with a rigid organizational structure that resembles that of a multinational corporation, and I am damn proud of it. The 4-4-2 is criticized because we lost our premiership title but if we were relatively injury free last season, the 4-4-2 I think would have won us the title and very well allowed us to beat liverstool to get to the UCL Final. We grinded out results ever so effectively with the 4-4-2 and that was with rampant injury. Granted, this season looks set to be a continuation of the end of last term, but once Mourinho has his whole squad at his disposal, I recommend playing the 4-4-2. And yes, I agree, give Lampard a rest.. I don't think the guy was rested once in the second half of the season, he's jaded, confused, and uncomfortable. I didn't even know if he was playing yesterday. Keep the faith.
Jard - I was wondering the same. Maybe our pre season preparation involves too much physical contact. Better they stick to jogging and a few press ups!
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I'm not overly concerned about the injuries because we have the strength in depth to cope and on the opening day will, I think, only really be without Drogba and Terry who could be considered first team certs. But it'll do Pizarro well to get some first team action early on given how important he will be during the ANC and Kalou will also be back by then. I just hope the Robben thing is sorted out soon or I fear they'll do a Gallas on us and flog him before we get a replacement lined up.
Ferreira surely will be first choice right back.
I went to Wemburrleee yesterday to watch the game, which to be honest I would have normally watched on TV. I was rather impressed with he scale of the place, it is an impressive stadium.
The game well... not much to add to Nick's summing up although I thought Ashley Cole did keep the "Portuguese Olympic Diver" rather quiet, it's always a fascinating battle.
As far as the penalty shoot, when did we last win one? If my memory serves correctly, I think we lost the last Community Shield game to Utd in 1997 on penalties, and of course the three recent ones, not the best of records.
Perhaps sounding a little controversial here, I think Jose should look at substituting Petr for Carlo if we ever get to the same situation again.
The last 7 penalties against him in shootouts have been scored, Carlo seems to be the better penalty stopper, and that can be just as important, especially if our boys keep missing.
And a quick footnote, the over the top celebrations from the Manure fans made me chuckle, you would have thought they'd won a Major Cup Competition. Get a grip!