We've Got Our Shield Back! - Match Report

Debutant Tim Howard was the hero for the Red Devils, as his double penalty save secured United's first Community Shield triumph since 1997.

The America international saved both Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and Robert Pires' spot-kicks, giving United a 4-3 shoot-out victory over the F.A Cup holders.

The game had gone to spot-kicks following a 1-1 draw at the end of normal time. There is no longer any extra-time in Shield matches, meaning supporters had the nerve-wracking experience of the penalties lottery immediately after the full-time whistle was blown.

Mikael Silvestre gave United the lead with 15 minutes on the clock, but his header was cancelled out by a well struck free-kick from Thierry Henry. Tim Howard was slow to react to Henry's strike, which curled its way into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

A minute silence was held before the kick-off in memory of United's young striker Jimmy Davis, who tragically died in a car crash on Saturday morning. Both sides also wore black arm bands.

The penalty shoot-out hero Tim Howard was the only new United face named amongst the starting line-up, with Eric Djemba-Djemba and David Bellion included on the substitutes bench.

Quinton Fortune was the only surprise starter, as he was named ahead of John O'Shea in the left-back position.

The game got off to a lively start, with Phil Neville finding himself in Steve Bennett's book in the opening minute. The English international put in a crunching tackle on Arsenal skipper Patrick Viera, giving the referee little choice but to show him the yellow card.

Any doubts raised over whether the teams would be treating this game as a competitive fixture were quickly put to be, as only a minute later, Ashley Cole followed Neville into the book after upending Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The atmosphere amongst the United supporters was tremendous, which was a lot more than could be said for our London counterparts. The Arsenal end of the ground was half-empty, which was met with chants of “Part-Time Supporters” from the United faithful!

United's first real chance of the game saw them take the lead. Ryan Giggs sent in a corner from the right, which was flicked into the box by skipper Roy Keane, and neatly headed home by Mikael Silvestre.

United's lead last only 5 minutes though, with Thierry Henry levelling the scores with a neat free-kick. Nicky Butt was harshly adjudged to have fouled Patrick Viera, and Henry took his chance from 25-yards out. His strike curled over the United wall, and into the right-hand corner of Tim Howard's goal, who had not reacted quickly enough to the Frenchman's effort.

Ryan Giggs came extremely close to regaining the Champions' lead on the half-hour mark. Phil Neville whipped in a cross, which was met by a header from the Welshman, but his effort could only find the crossbar, and Ruud van Nistelrooy failed to make the most of the rebound.

United piled on the pressure on the Arsenal goal in the closing moments of the half, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Mikael Silvestre and Ryan Giggs all going close, but the Gunner held on until the break.

Half Time - Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal made two half-time changes, with Sylvan Wiltord and Robert Pires replacing Thierry Henry and Ray Parlour.

The second-half started as fiercely as the first, with United fans out of their seats in the first minute, as Steve Bennett turned down Ruud van Nistelrooy's claims for a penalty.

Paul Scholes was booked early in the half, with Quinton Fortune following suit on the hour mark.

Substitute Robert Pires missed one of the best chances of the half. The French winger latched onto a through ball from Sylvan Wiltord, but his tame shot flew wide of Tim Howard's goal.

Eric Djemba-Djemba was given his United senior debut, as he replaced Paul Scholes on 61 minutes, with John O'Shea replacing Quinton Fortune eight minutes later.

The game had been a very competitive affair, with tackles going in everywhere, and it finally came to a boil in the 75th minute when Francis Jeffers was sent-off. The Scouse striker blatantly stamped on Phil Neville, leaving the referee know choice but to show him the red card.

With the lottery of penalty kicks looming, United through men forward looking to make advantage of the extra man, but could not find the elusive goal to win the game.

There was then an annoyingly long coin toss between the two captains to decide which end the penalties would be taken from. It was decided that the kicks would be taken in front of the packed United end, instead of the half-empty Arsenal end, which was met with cheers of approval from the Reds supporters.

Paul Scholes got United off on scoring ways with a neat penalty, which was then cancelled out by Edu.

A surprise pick in Rio Ferdinand then put United 2-1 ahead, which was followed by a Giovanni Van Bronckhorst miss.

Ruud van Nistelrooy failed to take advantage of the former Rangers midfielder's miss, as he missed only his second ever penalty as a Manchester United player. Sylvan Wiltord then scored to equal the scores again.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Lauren both scored to make it 3-3. Substitute Diego Forlan then netted his kick to give United a 4-3 lead, meaning Robert Pires had to score to keep Arsenal in the Community Shield.

The Frenchman stepped up to be greeted by deafening boos from the United faithful, which then turned to cheers as he saw his kick saved by Tim Howard.

The Red Devils then paraded the 95-year old shield around the Millennium Stadium, with fans hoping it will be the first of many trophies to grace the Old Trafford cabinet this season.

Full Time - Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
(Manchester United won 4-3 on penalties) 

Silvestre marked the Arsenal strikers well throughout, and may be moved to centre-back for his regular position by Sir Alex Ferguson.

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