United beat Chelsea in English curtain-raiser

Manchester United FC raised the curtain on the new English season in impressive style, securing a 3-1 Community Shield victory against titleholders Chelsea FC at Wembley.

Chelsea pipped United to the Premier League crown by a solitary point last term as well as winning the FA Cup in Carlo Ancelotti's first season in England. They also beat United both home and away in the league but were second best throughout on Sunday.

Antonio Valencia and the impressive Paul Scholes spurned early opportunities as Sir Alex Ferguson's men signalled their intent, yet it was the Blues who went closest in the opening stages when Edwin van der Sar denied Branislav Ivanović superbly. United were not to be outshone, however, and it was Scholes, their midfield heartbeat, who helped break the deadlock, picking out Wayne Rooney to lay on an instinctive cross for Valencia, who buried from close range four minutes from half-time.

Summer signing Javier Hernández was one of three half-time introductions and it was the Mexican international who added a second, somewhat fortuitously bundling in Valencia's cross on 76 minutes. Salomon Kalou halved the deficit with seven minutes remaining, but United save their best until last, Dimitar Berbatov's delightful 90th-minute lob capping off a fine move.

Both sides open their Premier League campaigns against promoted opponents, Chelsea hosting West Bromwich Albion FC on 14 August and United facing Newcastle United FC two days later.