There are those that read far too much into a match like the Community Shield ...
Naturally, some pundits will hail Manchester City’s 3-2 defeat of Chelsea as a “signal of intent,” starting as they mean to go on, or something along that rather clichéd rhetoric.
Let’s be honest, the Community Shield is nothing more than a glorified friendly, an added bonus for two clubs who have already achieved success in the previous year.
In reality, this match was neither a resounding success for Manchester City, nor a genuine disappointment for Chelsea: Branislav Ivanovic’s red card ensured that.
Manchester City cannot truly claim to now have the upper hand in the title race, having defeated a Chelsea side with a man down and without Marko Marin and Chelsea’s new Brazilian Oscar.
Nor can Chelsea find themselves with their heads down, moral distinguished by a “cup-final” defeat, having pushed Manchester City all the way with 10 men. Even better, that man Fernando Torres was on the score sheet for Chelsea- a good sign if Fernando is to further free himself of the barren shackles of the last 18 months.
For the most part, this Community Shield remains something that it should be: genuine entertainment and a celebration of the return of the Premier League. Nothing like a 3-2 thriller with all of the thrills and spills associated with a cracking match to usher in the new year ... just like the last one ended.
Bring. It. On.
Olympic spirit in short supply but champions Manchester City return in style against Chelsea
Five goals, one red card and eight bookings yesterday in a match that is supposed to be a friendly: English football might remain immune to the Olympic spirit but it is hard to deny that it is rattling good entertainment.
The Community Shield at Villa Park drew a crowd of 36,394 that fell 7,000 short of a full house, reflecting the tie's status this time as a sideshow to the country's great sporting event rather than the appetiser for the main feast. The Football Association chairman, David Bernstein, might have called for the country's footballers to take their lead from Team GB; it was not immediately obvious the warning had been heeded by players or fans.
The rain fell; John Terry was abused over his recent court case by the Manchester City support; players surrounded the referee Kevin Friend to berate him for his decisions; a fan dressed as Zippy from Rainbow was ejected by police; the rain continued to fall and Terry was abused some more.
English football is not about to change its ways just because the country has hosted a successful Olympics, but no one could complain about the competitiveness. The game caught alight before half-time when Fernando Torres scored for Chelsea and Branislav Ivanovic was sent off. As for the behaviour? It looked indistinguishable from that of last season.
After half-time, it was all City, led by the magnificent Yaya Touré, who scored the equaliser and was the game's stand-out player. After him Carlos Tevez, looking slim and sharp, went past David Luiz and Terry to score a brilliant second before Samir Nasri poked in Aleksandar Kolarov's cross for the third.
City almost let Chelsea back in with 10 minutes left when goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon dropped the ball at substitute Ryan Bertrand's feet and he scored. Otherwise, Chelsea's poor pre-season form continued.
It will be a while until Chelsea see the best of Eden Hazard, played out on the left behind Torres, whose performance was most notable for a back-heel that went awry and caused him to fall on his face. Ivanovic was deservedly sent off for his lunge at Kolarov and will miss the first three games of the season.
Frank Lampard and Ramires, both booked, were fortunate not to pick up second yellow cards and Chelsea became increasingly stretched in the second half. These are early days yet for Roberto Di Matteo, but it was a chastening reminder of just good the champions are when they find their rhythm.
The Chelsea manager said that City were "absolutely" the team to beat. "They're the champions. We have to catch up 25 points from last season. They are the favourites, no doubt about it, and United will be chasing City as well. They've kept the squad together. I'm not sure if they'll make more signings, but they're a strong team."
City had made their first signing just hours before kick-off and Roberto Mancini said afterwards that Jack Rodwell, a £15m signing from Everton, had completed a medical at the club yesterday afternoon. It is an interesting signing, and not quite the big-name striker that Mancini would have had in mind, but it does represent another investment in young English talent.
The City manager described Rodwell as "a good player for our future" and hinted strongly that he would not be an immediate part of his first-team plans. "It's the first time he was [sic] in a club that plays to win [trophies], and it will be different for him, but I'm sure that in a couple of years he will be a top, strong midfielder." Everton fans might bridle at the first point.
Mancini was also less keen to reignite Friday's feud with the club's "sporting director" Brian Marwood, although the manager will meet chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, who is in town this week.
"I always speak with Khaldoon. I did a press conference on Friday and you asked me about the market. I don't know anything about the market, so I said, 'Speak with Brian Marwood'. Then it was chaos in the newspapers. Any manager would be unhappy when, one week before the start of the season, we haven't bought any players. But I hope we are working and, this week, we can do something about this."
There was no Joe Hart in the City team; he was out with a back strain, which also means that he will miss the England friendly with Italy on Wednesday, leaving Roy Hodgson with just the uncapped John Ruddy and Jack Butland to choose from. City were also without Mario Balotelli who was suffering from conjunctivitis.
Daniel Sturridge, a substitute, looks like he too will have to pull out of the England squad with injury. He was one of two Olympians on show yesterday. English football, however, exists in its own world.
Micah Richards injury rules defender out for up to a month
Micah Richards could be out for a month with an ankle injury, according to Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini.
The defender, 24, had the setback playing for Britain in the Olympics quarter-final against South Korea.
Mancini sai: "We thought it was a small injury but instead he will be out for longer. He has a big problem maybe, and it may be one month out."
Goalkeeper Joe Hart also has a back problem which forced him to miss City's 3-2 Community Shield win over Chelsea.
The injury has also seen hart pull out of England's friendly against Italy in Wednesday.
But Mancini added: "Joe had a problem yesterday [on Saturday] with his back but I don't think it is serious."
Manchester City begin the defence of their Premier League title on Sunday against Southampton at Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City confirm signing of Jack Rodwell from Everton
The 21-year-old has signed on a five-year deal and the fee could rise to £17m.
Rodwell completed a medical with the Premier League champions on Sunday before signing a deal to become Roberto Mancini's first signing of the summer.
"Man City are a massive club, the league champions, so it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's a dream come true," Rodwell told http://www.mcfc.co.uk.
He joins up with England for Wednesday's friendly against Italy, but will be available for Manchester City's opening game of the season against newly promoted Southampton at the weekend.
Jack Rodwell
•Born: 11/03/1991
•Position: Defensive midfielder
•Everton: 2007-2012 (85 appearances)
•England caps: 2
"It will be an amazing experience to make my debut in front of them [Manchester City supporters] if I am selected to play next weekend," he added.
"Obviously I knew the squad is immense with talent here but I believe in my ability. I've just got to work my way into the manager's plans and hopefully things will go well.
"The hard work starts today as I start to help contribute to the club winning more silverware. The season has started really well with the Community Shield win."
Rodwell rose through Everton's youth system after joining the Premier League club at the age of seven.
He represented England at four junior levels before making his senior debut in the friendly win over Spain in November 2011, replacing Phil Jones as a 56th-minute substitute.
Three days later, Rodwell started his first full international, playing 58 minutes against Sweden before being replaced by James Milner.
"I would like to place on record my thanks to everyone at Everton. The manager David Moyes has been brilliant for me and helped make me the player that I am today," said Rodwell.
"I have a special relationship with the chairman, Bill Kenwright, who did not want me to leave."
Rodwell revealed that despite his long-standing ties to the Toffees, talks about a move to City had been going on for a while.
"It's been kept under wraps quite nicely. It's been going on for the past couple of weeks but the last couple of days it's progressed really quickly. I'm just pleased it's done," he added.
Rodwell is Manchester City's only high-profile new arrival this summer, although the club have been linked with transfers for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and Liverpool centre-back Daniel Agger.
He will add depth to a City midfield department without England international Gareth Barry, who has a hip problem, while Nigel de Jong is stalling over a new deal.
The 27-year-old is in the final year of his contract and has attracted interest from Bayern Munich.
Kolo kick-off: Toure gives away medal after Shield bust-up with Roberto Mancini
No place in new Man City system for 31-year-old defender, he's not happy about it – and it's clear that his Etihad career is over.... bar the shouting!
Kolo Toure has been involved in a angry bust-up with Roberto Mancini over being snubbed in Manchester City's Community Shield win.
The 31-year-old defender exchanged words with the City boss after giving his medal to Villa Park fans in frustration at being left on the bench.
Some fans posted images on Twitter last night with what they claimed had been Toure's medal.
The Ivory Coast centre-half, consoled by brother Yaya, had already been put out by Mancini's decision to start the match with young Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic ahead of him.
Toure was then left furious when Mancini replaced Savic at half-time with Gael Clichy in his three-man backline.
Savic had been lucky to avoid a first-half red card after picking up a booking early on then flattening Fernando Torres in an incident that ref Kevin Friend chose to overlook.
Yesterday's spat underlines the problem facing Mancini who pointed the finger at Sporting Director Brian Marwood over the club's lack of signings last week.
Toure is one of several players - brought in by Mark Hughes - with no future at the club but remain as the City cannot find buyers for them.
It means despite Premier League champions' star-studded squad, Mancini is faced with a number disillusioned at being frozen out.
Despite Toure having just 12 months left on his contract City want a fee of around £3million for him.
The stance is believed to be scaring off potential buyers such as Turkish clubs Bursasport and Trabzonspor who maintain they cannot afford the fee as well as his £120,000-a-week wages.
Mancini backs Tevez to be an 'important player' for Manchester City
The Citizens boss was pleased with how the striker performed in the 3-2 victory over Chelsea in the Community Shield and feels that the Argentine will be better than ever before
Roberto Mancini has backed Carlos Tevez to be a key player for Manchester City this season, following the Argentine's pivotal role in their Community Shield victory over Chelsea.
City, who begin their Premier League title defence against Southampton on Sunday, were without the controversial forward for six months of last season following a bust-up between the player and manager.
The pair managed to put their differences to one side towards the end of the last campaign, however, and, with the 28-year-old handed a place in City's line-up on Saturday, it now appears that Mancini is ready to trust Tevez again.
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"I am very happy because Carlos this year has worked very well in pre-season, and his form is better than last year," the manager told Sky Sports.
"Also this year he wants to play football. For a player, it is difficult when he does not play. Last season he did not play for six months and this is difficult.
"I expect him to be a very important player. He is a top player if he wants to play.
"Last year we had Carlos for the last 10 games and it was important because he scored five or six goals.
"But he was not 100 per cent. This year is the first time in four or five years he has done a pre-season and, for every player, this is important."
Whilst the City manager admitted to being happy with his team's performance on Sunday, the 47-year-old did concede that the task was made easier following the first-half dismissal of Branislav Ivanovic for a rash challenge on Aleksandar Kolarov.
Mancini added: "It was a good performance. When Chelsea were leading 1-0, we played better.
"With the sending-off, it was difficult to see from the bench but it is an advantage to play with an extra player.
"It had an impact on the game. It is impossible to say no because 11 versus 11 is different. But we played better than Chelsea, played better football."
MARWOOD'S PEN BOLLOX
It is undersood that a new one has been ordered as the last of the ink was used up yesterday and nobody thought to top it up .... more non signing B*ll*x soon ...
So Daniel, tell us about yesterday from a Chelsea point of view ...
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNew ... 44,00.html
OTHER BOLLOX
Wigan are finalising a loan with Arsenal for Ryo Miyaichi, 19, in a move which is likely to hasten the departure of Victor Moses, 21, who has been subject of a rejected bid by Chelsea. Daily Mail
Fulham boss Martin Jol is making a surprise £3m bid to sign French striker David Ngog, 23, from relegated Bolton. Daily Mirror
Yann M'Vila, 22, has received a 'concrete offer' from a club in England, the chairman of his club Rennes has confirmed, as speculation mounts over a move to Tottenham. Metro
Newcastle have reached agreement with Ajax over a £6.2m deal for Dutch international Vurnon Anita, 23. Daily Mail
Arsenal could be set to swap Nicklas Bendtner, 24, for AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes, 30. talkShit
Arsenal have told Barcelona they want youngster Cristian Tello as part of any deal to take Alex Song to the Nou Camp.
Newcastle target Mathieu Debuchy has issued the Premier League club with a come and get me plea, insisting he is determined to leave Lille. talkShit
Referee Christian Fischer has been accused of taking a dive after falling to the floor following a confrontation with Benfica captain Luisao during a friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf. Metro
Claudio Caniggia showed he has still got it at the age of 45 by scoring in Wembley FC's FA Cup victory over Langford on Saturday. Metro
Football transfer bollox - August 2012
The transfer window reopened on 1 July, although once a club had completed their competitive fixtures for 2011-12, they were able to sign players.
The summer window will close at 23:00 BST on Friday, 31 August and will reopen on 1 January 2013.
12 AUGUST
Jack Rodwell [Everton - Man City] £12m ... http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/26 ... ll-signing
11 AUGUST
Chris Beardsley [Stevenage - Preston] Free
Joel Byrom [Stevenage - Preston] Free
El Hadji Diouf [Doncaster - Leeds] Free
Brian Stock [Doncaster - Burnley] Undisclosed
10 AUGUST
Joe Allen [Swansea - Liverpool] Undisclosed
Andreas Arestidou [Preston North End - Morecambe] Free
Alejandro Bedoya [Rangers - Helsingborgs] Undisclosed
Craig Bellamy [Liverpool - Cardiff] Free
Craig Beattie [Hearts - St Johnstone] Free
Nick Blackman [Blackburn Rovers - Sheffield United] Undisclosed
Harry Cooksley [Reading - Aldershot] Free
Craig Curran [Carlisle - Rochdale] Free
Alou Diarra [Marseille - West Ham] £2m
Ryan Fredericks [Tottenham - Brentford] Loan
Ben Gordon [Chelsea - Birmingham] Loan
Antony Kay [Huddersfield - Milton Keynes Dons] Free
Colin Kazim-Richards [Galatasaray - Blackburn Rovers] Loan
Fraser Kerr [Birmingham - Motherwell] Loan
Romelu Lukaku [Chelsea - West Brom] Loan
Alan Maybury [St Johnstone - Birmingham] Free
Connor Roberts [Everton - Cheltenham] Free
Ben Smith [Shrewsbury - Rochdale] Free
Chris Smith [Dunfermline - St Mirren] Free
Ryan Watson [Wigan - Accrington] Loan
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=43322&start=50
OLYMPIC MISS OUT ON THE ACTION LAST NIGHTS BOLLOX
http://stopcryingyourheartoutnews.blogs ... ester.html
