By Victor Kanayo
Manchester City on Saturday pipped their neighbours United 7-6 in penalty shootout to lift the 2024 Community Shield.
Penalty kicks became the decider after regulation ended 1-1.
It is the first time City have won the top-flight curtain raiser since beating Liverpool 5-4 on penalties in 2019.
So, it puts an end to their three-year run of losing in this fixture (2021, 2022 and 2023).
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho looked to have won the Community Shield for Manchester United when he cut inside and fired home a fantastic effort with just eight minutes of normal time left on the clock.
However, that was before fellow substitute Bernardo Silva popped up in the 89th minute to head home Oscar Bobb’s cross some eight minutes after entering the fray.
The Community Shield is usually the cotton raiser which gets the season underway.
While City won the Premier League last season, United emerged FA Cup winners
Meanwhile, Joshua Maja produced an excellent performance with a hat-trick which ensured that West Bromwich Albion beat Queens Park Rangers 3-1 in the opening match for Championship season in England.
