Manchester United beats Manchester City in Community Shield
Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-2 in the Community Shield on Sunday, rallying behind Nani's two goals in the traditional opener to the English soccer season.
Nani completed the Premier League champion's great comeback by scoring the winner in the fourth minute of injury time. The Portuguese winger stripped City captain Vincent Kompany of the ball near midfield, ran unchallenged into the penalty area and rounded goalkeeper Joe Hart to score.
"We all believe until the last minute, and the attitude of the lads in the second half was that everyone believed we could score," Nani said. "It is good to play against Man City and win like that. I think our fans today will be so proud of us. It is a beautiful day to enjoy."
United trailed 2-0 after goals by Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko despite dominating possession. United got back in the game when Chris Smalling tapped in Ashley Young's 52nd-minute free kick. Seven minutes later, Nani lifted the ball over goalkeeper Joe Hart.
City seemed happy to settle for a penalty-kick shootout until Nani struck again before a Wembley crowd of 77,169.
"I tried to chip it but the keeper stayed on his feet," Nani said. "So at the last second I changed my mind," Nani said.
Lescott was perhaps City's best player in a game littered with yellow cards and rash tackles. He blocked a close shot by Smalling on the line and deflected a free kick by Nani past the post before he headed in David Silva's free kick in the 38th minute.
City manager Roberto Mancini made sure his players returned to the field to applaud their victorious opponents.
"It is correct," Mancini said. "It is right because they won. But we are happy because we played this game and we want to play this game every year if possible."
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