Chelsea got their hands on the first trophy of the English season on Sunday when they beat Manchester United [Images] on penalties to win the curtain-raising Community Shield after a lively Wembley encounter had ended 2-2.
United, preparing for their Premier League title defence without the departed Cristiano Ronaldo [Images] and Carlos Tevez [Images], took an early lead through the impressive Nani.
Carlo Ancelotti's [Images] side improved markedly after the break and Ricardo Carvalho [Images] headed them level seven minutes after the interval before Frank Lampard [Images] struck with 20 minutes to go.
Wayne Rooney [Images], who was joined in attack for the final 15 minutes by United's new signing Michael Owen [Images], then showed a cool head to beat Chelsea keeper Petr Cech [Images] in stoppage time after being sent clear by Ryan Giggs [Images].
It proved in vain for United, however, as Giggs and Patrice Evra [Images] both had their spot kicks saved by Cech and Salomon Kalou [Images] fired high past Ben Foster to settle it, with Chelsea winning the shootout 4-1.
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