The Community Shield might not rank highly on the long list of trophies won by Pep Guardiola, but the Manchester City manager will nevertheless have been delighted with his sides comfortable win over Chelsea.
Perhaps the most pleasing thing for Guardiola is that with both sides missing key players following the World Cup, City didnt show it.
Guardiolas starting XI was without Gabriel Jesus, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany and Raheem Sterling among others, but that caused no problems whatsoever.
Read more: Trevor Steven: Mourinho needs to change his ways – not his squad
Bernardo Silva was more than a match for his namesake, buzzing around to pick up the ball, drive at the reluctant Chelsea defence and thread passes into space, while centre-back Aymeric Laporte was solid and new signing Riyad Mahrez was bright if not at his devastating best.
Chelsea look off the pace
In stark contrast Chelsea looked like a side unused to what theyre supposed to be doing. It may be early days but the ramifications of holding onto Antonio Conte while negotiations with Napoli over Maurizio Sarri rumbled on were there to see on the Wembley pitch yesterday.
Chelsea have so far signed just two players in the summer transfer window: midfielder Jorginho and third-choice goalkeeper Rob Green.
Maurizio Sarri was appointed Chelsea manager on 14 July and has his work cut out (Source: Getty)
With NGolo Kante unavailable they looked the opposite of City, with play pedestrian and touches frequently heavy, especially in the final third.
Alvaro Morata, who has vowed to improve this campaign, played up front but was substituted in the 69th minute for Tammy Abraham having contributed very little.
Foden ready for a first team role
While it was Sergio Aguero who won the man of the match award for his two goals, it was 18-year-old Englishman Phil Foden who stood out the most in a sky blue shirt.
The youngster is supremely confident on the ball and fits Citys high-intensity, high-pressing, expansive style perfectly.
It was Foden who set up Aguero to open the scoring with a run into the box and square pass to the Argentine and he would have collected a second assist just after half-time had Aguero not made a mess of a one-on-one with Willy Caballero.
Foden tested the former City keeper a few minutes later with a low shot and even managed to win a dangerous header at the back post from Ilkay Gundogans free-kick.
When he left the pitch late on he was greeted by a standing ovation from half of Wembley. The hope is now Foden will be given the minutes he needs to develop under Guardiolas tutelage this season.
Chelsea slow and flat at the back
In truth Foden and his team mates were helped in their task by Chelseas defence, which looked all at sea against Citys interchanging attackers.
Kantes absence was highlighted time and again as City pinched balls in dangerous areas and ran at a cumbersome rearguard.
Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz struggled against Man City's fast counter-attacks (Source: Getty)
Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz played in the heart of defence and were guilty of standing off their opponents, allowing time and space. City ran riot, having 18 shots – nine of which were on target.
Aguero could easily have doubled his tally, while substitutes Brahim Diaz and Jesus could also have found the net in the closing stages.
Aguero a danger even when not playing well
The City striker had an excellent day, scoring his 200th and 201st goals for the club on his 293rd appearance to better his outstanding record, and yet his performance could have been even better.
Afforded all the time he wanted, he beat Caballero to open the scoring and took his second well, drifting behind Luiz to collect Silvas pass and find the near post.
However, his botched one-on-one chance and occasionally sloppy link-up play hinted at a player needing more minutes.
He nearly had hat-trick with a back-post volley from Kyle Walkers deep cross, but Caballero made one of many saves to deny him.
The positive note is that he can find the net when not at his best. With him scoring goals City look formidable as they embark on their title defence.
The Community Shield might not rank highly on the long list of trophies won by Pep Guardiola, but the Manchester City manager will nevertheless have been delighted with his sides comfortable win over Chelsea.
Perhaps the most pleasing thing for Guardiola is that with both sides missing key players following the World Cup, City didnt show it.
Guardiolas starting XI was without Gabriel Jesus, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany and Raheem Sterling among others, but that caused no problems whatsoever.
Read more: Trevor Steven: Mourinho needs to change his ways – not his squad
Bernardo Silva was more than a match for his namesake, buzzing around to pick up the ball, drive at the reluctant Chelsea defence and thread passes into space, while centre-back Aymeric Laporte was solid and new signing Riyad Mahrez was bright if not at his devastating best.
Chelsea look off the pace
In stark contrast Chelsea looked like a side unused to what theyre supposed to be doing. It may be early days but the ramifications of holding onto Antonio Conte while negotiations with Napoli over Maurizio Sarri rumbled on were there to see on the Wembley pitch yesterday.
Chelsea have so far signed just two players in the summer transfer window: midfielder Jorginho and third-choice goalkeeper Rob Green.
Maurizio Sarri was appointed Chelsea manager on 14 July and has his work cut out (Source: Getty)
With NGolo Kante unavailable they looked the opposite of City, with play pedestrian and touches frequently heavy, especially in the final third.
Alvaro Morata, who has vowed to improve this campaign, played up front but was substituted in the 69th minute for Tammy Abraham having contributed very little.
Foden ready for a first team role
While it was Sergio Aguero who won the man of the match award for his two goals, it was 18-year-old Englishman Phil Foden who stood out the most in a sky blue shirt.
The youngster is supremely confident on the ball and fits Citys high-intensity, high-pressing, expansive style perfectly.
It was Foden who set up Aguero to open the scoring with a run into the box and square pass to the Argentine and he would have collected a second assist just after half-time had Aguero not made a mess of a one-on-one with Willy Caballero.
Foden tested the former City keeper a few minutes later with a low shot and even managed to win a dangerous header at the back post from Ilkay Gundogans free-kick.
When he left the pitch late on he was greeted by a standing ovation from half of Wembley. The hope is now Foden will be given the minutes he needs to develop under Guardiolas tutelage this season.
Chelsea slow and flat at the back
In truth Foden and his team mates were helped in their task by Chelseas defence, which looked all at sea against Citys interchanging attackers.
Kantes absence was highlighted time and again as City pinched balls in dangerous areas and ran at a cumbersome rearguard.
Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz struggled against Man City's fast counter-attacks (Source: Getty)
Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz played in the heart of defence and were guilty of standing off their opponents, allowing time and space. City ran riot, having 18 shots – nine of which were on target.
Aguero could easily have doubled his tally, while substitutes Brahim Diaz and Jesus could also have found the net in the closing stages.
Aguero a danger even when not playing well
The City striker had an excellent day, scoring his 200th and 201st goals for the club on his 293rd appearance to better his outstanding record, and yet his performance could have been even better.
Afforded all the time he wanted, he beat Caballero to open the scoring and took his second well, drifting behind Luiz to collect Silvas pass and find the near post.
However, his botched one-on-one chance and occasionally sloppy link-up play hinted at a player needing more minutes.
He nearly had hat-trick with a back-post volley from Kyle Walkers deep cross, but Caballero made one of many saves to deny him.
The positive note is that he can find the net when not at his best. With him scoring goals City look formidable as they embark on their title defence.
