Manchester City defeat Chelsea to claim 2012 FA Community Shield
English football opened their new season at Villa Park in Birmingham, England with the traditional Football Association Community Shield match. Defending English Premier League Champions, Manchester City took on FA Cup winner’s Chelsea in what would become a heated match of two title contenders for the coming 2012-13 campaign.
While the 2012 London Olympics were coming to a close, the English Premier League was kicking off with a bang. Manchester City had Chelsea on the ropes in the opening half, but a 40th minute striker from Fernando Torres against the run of play saw the game blown wide open.
However, a red car for Chelsea defender, Branislav Ivanovic in the closing minutes of the first 45 minutes would once again change the fortune of the game and the opening three fixtures of the coming season. Ivanovic not only sent his side down to ten men but also now faces a three match ban for the sending off.
Manchester City came back with a vengeance in the second half as they took the game to their undermanned opponents. Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure would draw the Citizens level on the 53rd minute with a powerful shot steming from a poor John Terry clearance.
Chelsea was now on the back foot and Manchester City would take the lead only minutes later thanks to Carlos Tevez. The Argentine finally looks like the Tevez of old for the club after settling back in and pairing up with fellow countryman Sergio Aguero in attack.
The hits would keep coming for the Blues as former Arsenal man Samir Nasri would put the game out of reach with a third goal for the defending EPL champs in the 65th minute.
From there on out City toyed with Chelsea. The London side and defending FA Cup and UEFA Champions League winners earned a late consolation goal through young defender Ryan Bertrand, but it would be little appease the club that have high hopes for the coming season.
As Manchester City ascended into the stands to claim the first piece of silverware of the new season, Chelsea looked ready to prove their critics wrong when they kick off the regular season next weekend against Wigan Athletic.
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Chelsea came out overly and uncharacteristically aggressive to open the match...seemed out to prove something; a real chip on their shoulder that didn't serve them well...
The Torres goal was sweet, but Ivanovic's red card shortly thereafter was ugly...I like that idea of being more aggressive, but not at the expense of playing dumb football...
I am just glad the season is back underway...pretty soon and my perfect Sundays of Chelsea soccer in the morning and Bears Football in the afternoon will be here...





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