The Community Shield (formerly known as the Charity Shield) is an English football clash of the titans, pitting the Premier League winners against the FA Cup champions for the first available silverware of the season.
It is always a welcome sight for fans, as it marks just a week until the top-flight schedule is back in full and life returns to footballing normality.
The Community Shield is highly regarded by clubs too, a significant piece of silverware to start any club’s campaign off in dream fashion. As such, there have been some incredible battles for this trophy, with the biggest clubs in England going toe-to-toe.
Read on as we count down some of the very best Community Shield clashes.
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5 – Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United (2001)
A Community Shield classic as Liverpool edged out their bitter rivals Manchester United in an extremely tight, yet thoroughly entertaining game. Liverpool took the lead early on through a Gary McAllister penalty and United’s heads only went down further when England legend Michael Owen added a second in the 10th minute.
But the Red Devils did not roll over and went all out attack in response, with Liverpool fighting tooth and nail to keep them out. This resulted in some chaotic and brilliant football in which both teams were stretched to their absolute limits. United eventually got one back through Ruud van Nistelrooy just after half-time, which set up a tense finale.
The barrage continued after the goal but United squandered chance after chance. A spirited Liverpool side got their hands on the trophy in the end, deservedly so after surviving the onslaught.
4 – Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United (2004)
A hugely significant meeting between two of the giants of English football. Arsenal and Manchester United had developed a fierce rivalry in the 2000s that still persists to this day, so whenever the two met fireworks were guaranteed – and this time was no different.
Arsenal, fresh from their famous unbeaten season, piled on the pressure early, with Dennis Bergkamp going close numerous times. But the breakthrough came for the Gunners as Gilberto Silva fired them 1-0 ahead just after half time. The lead would not last long, though, as a spectacular Alan Smith volley levelled things up for United.
However, just three minutes later eventual Man of the Match Jose Antonio Reyes restored Arsenal’s lead, the Spaniard capitalising on some shaky defending.
The Gunners then put the final nail in the coffin after a run from Ashley Cole somehow ended with the ball in the back of the United net after his attempted cross ricocheted off Mikael Silvestre. Win confirmed for Arsenal, a Community Shield classic and another chapter in one of English football’s great rivalries.
3 – Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United, 4-1 on penalties (2009)
In 2009, Premier League Champions Manchester United took on FA Cup winners Chelsea in a dramatic battle for the Community Shield. Things seemed to be going well for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men when Luis Nani struck just 10 minutes into the game to give the Red Devils a lead.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea applied pressure in response, although were unable to peg United back before half-time. But straight after the break, United were stunned as Ricardo Carvalho scored to level the playing field. After a cagey period following the goal, it was Chelsea who broke the deadlock as talisman Frank Lampard gave them a 2-1 lead.
The game appeared all but over, the trophy within Chelsea’s grasp, but in the 92nd minute things went a bit bonkers as Wayne Rooney struck for Fergie’s men to take the game to penalties. The Blues held firm in the shootout, scoring their first three penalties through Lampard, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba.
Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs were unable to convert their spot kicks, which presented Salomon Kalou with the chance to win the match from 12 yards – a chance he grabbed with both hands.
2 – Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United (2011)
An classic Manchester derby in the Community Shield, one which featured a comeback of epic proportions.
Things looked to be going routinely for City as Joleon Lescott headed them into the lead just prior to half-time. Edin Dzeko then notched a second in first-half stoppage time, the Bosnian striker firing in at David De Gea’s near post. United went into the break deflated but a Fergie team talk clearly inspired them as they scored through Chris Smalling just seven minutes after returning to the field.
The Red Devils followed with a spell of sustained possession and after some delicate interplay from Nani, Rooney and Tom Cleverley on the edge of the box, Nani was able to fire home an equaliser.
The game became frantic as both teams searched for a winner and City looked most likely claim it. But when one of their attacks broke down in the 94th minute, Rooney collected the ball inside the box and smashed it downfield. With two City defenders covering, many fans’ minds turned to penalties as Nani hopefully chased the ball down.
However, a bit of a mix up between Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure ended with the ball at Nani’s feet, through on goal. He coolly rounded Joe Hart and slotted home, winning the Community shield for United.
1 – Leeds United 4-3 Liverpool (1992)
Ahead of the 1992-93 season, defending champions Leeds took on Liverpool in what would turn out to be a clash befitting of the drama levels seen in the campaign that was to follow.
Against the run of play, Eric Cantona fired home from the centre of the box to give Leeds the 1-0 lead 25 minutes into the game. However, Liverpool’s frustration did not last long as Ian Rush headed in at the back post eight minutes later.
But Leeds were at it again just before half-time. Tony Dorigo’s free-kick effort effort flicked off a Liverpool defender and nestled in the bottom corner.
Liverpool pressed hard for an equaliser in the second half and in the 65th minute, a fortunate deflection fell to Dean Saunders who rifled the ball into an open net. Game on.
But 12 minutes later, another free-kick routine worked in Leeds’ favour as Cantona eventually volleyed home to put one hand on the trophy for the Whites.
Three minutes from time, Cantona completed his hat-trick and sealed victory for Leeds, the Frenchman heading in from a looping cross. Liverpool pegged them back to 4-3 but it was too late to complete the comeback.
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