Isn’t it remarkable how in some years the Community Shield opener at Wembley fails to interest me and yet other years (when Chelsea win it) I view it as an important pointer to the chances of winning the Premiership.
The match yesterday lived up to all the old footballing clichés being a game of two halves with Man United being dominant in the first half and Chelsea taking over in the second. We also had a variation on the old Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman scenario with a ‘wicked’ German (Ballack) and an ‘injured’ Frenchman (Evra). Fortunately the irascible Scotsman (Ferguson) ensured that there was some read across to the old jokes.
All in all it was a good but not great game with plenty of bite particularly after the Ballack/Evra incident. Given the context of the normal non–tackling Community Shield, it was a pleasant surprise and not a bad appetiser to whet one’s palate for the season ahead.
Of course this year I want to see Wolverhampton Wanderers do really well on their return to the Premiership. Nevertheless from yesterday’s performance, I am totally convinced that Chelsea will go on to pick up the Premiership, FA Cup, Carling Cup and Champions League trophies to add to its collection of silverware. Like most fans I retain such delusions for just as long as the first setback when I swing over to abject pessimism. Finally don’t mention the cricket!!