The Charity Shield

Man United eventually succumbed to Chelsea after a penalty shootout – but not before both teams showed they cared about the trophy. Nani was surprisingly effective for United, and they will be cursing his dislocated shoulder. He can be added to Vidic, Neville, Rafael, Brown, Van Der Sar, and Foster on the treatment table. Almost an injury crisis…

Chelsea look in finer fettle, with the returning Joe Cole soon back from a long term injury and new signing Zhirkov on the verge of being fit. They were their belligerent selves, Drogba sporadically terrorising the United defence, Lampard of course scoring, and Anelka looking lazy.

It was a decent, end to end game with plenty of chances – Cech made more saves but Foster looked more likely to let in a goal, such was his lack of surety. A draw was probably a fair result – but let’s not kid ourselves that Ferguson was not irked by the penalty defeat. His ferocious will to win is what has kept him at the top of the game for 25 years.

Ancellotti will be pleased with his start, though – one trophy from one entered. Not bad.

I have to say (I went to the game) it was a good occasion – well organised, entertaining (the Wombats played, weird huge dragons strutted around, flags and fireworks, and so on) – a suitable showpiece for the start of what promises to be an extremely exciting season.