EPL: Chelsea Win Community Shield Over Manchester United on Penalties

Chelsea opened their 2009 season just like they ended their previous one, by lifting silverware at Wembley.

After overcoming 1-0 deficit followed by an injury time goal by Wayne Rooney, Chelsea defeated Manchester United 4-1 on penalties. The win secured their fourth Community Shield. 

The Blues got off to a shaky start when Petr Cech let in a soft goal by Nani, who has been tapped to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, just 10 minutes in. United would pour on the attacks testing Cech repeatedly with successful scoring opportunities. Ji Sung Park tried doubling the lead forcing the Czech international to dive to his right. Minutes later it would be Dimitar Berbatov who too would be met by the keeper.

Meanwhile Chelsea looked sluggish as their passes would easily be smothered by United and no shots would give Ben Foster any trouble. Darren Fletcher nearly scored before the interval forcing a finger tip save from Cech. The score would remain 1-0 as the teams headed for their respective changing rooms.

The second half would see Branislav Ivanovic be replaced by Jose Bosingwa after being tormented by Nani. Quickly thereafter the Blues would start to pick up momentum. Their efforts were quickly rewarded as Ricardo Carvalho would find a half empty net after Ben Foster collided with Didier Drogba. Chelsea would continue to press on testing a nervy Foster until they caught a 3-on-2 break.

With Patrice Evra being body checked by Michael Ballack, the Blues would push on with Drogba finding a wide open Frank Lampard. He would step up to fire past Foster who didn't get enough on the ball as the West London team grabbed the lead.

Chelsea would try to hang out to the comeback but an injury time (offsides) goal by Wayne Rooney would force the game into penalties as the clock expired seconds later. In the shootout Foster showed he was not Edwin van der Saar, failing to stop all four Chelsea goals as the Blues clinched their first piece of silverware for the 2009 season.

While their ultimate goal is the Champions League trophy, Carlo Ancelotti's men took a step in the right direction with a much needed win over their newest bitter rivals in Manchester United. With the Blues winning in a penalty shootout for the first time in ages, things could be looking up for the pride of London.