Wayne Rooney in Community Shield against Chelsea

Wayne Rooney might have been sensational in the Community Shield encounter against Chelsea yesterday, but a controversial decision from the referee was enough to push Manchester United to the losing side.

Everyone was awaiting a thrilling moment yesterday afternoon, as Manchester United were poised to repeat their success over Chelsea, this time, in their Community Shield match at the Wembley Stadium.

The match didn’t begin so well for the Mancunians, but in spite of everything, the Portuguese forward Nani managed to drive a powerful ball into Peter Cech’s unsafe net. It was really a brilliant strike from the United winger, but it is not undeniable that the Chelsea keeper could have done better.

Chelsea then equalized trough a shot from another Portuguese player, this time around, Ricardo Carvalho.

The match was supposed to remain level, but a controversial decision from the referee allowed Michael Ballack to foul Patrice Evra and let the Blues go away the ball. Unfortunately, this attack from the Londoners gave Lampard the chance to steal the lead for his side, and having found themselves in front, Chelsea were likely to increase their lead, later on.

The Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, tried to respond with a quadruple substitution, letting Giggs, Scholes, Owen and Fabio get a feel of the game.

Nonetheless, despite Fergie’s changes to his side, the Blues kept pressing on in search of a third goal, and Manchester United seemed to find things harder and harder…

The game was still not decided yet, and in injury time, the phenomenal striker Wayne Rooney showed the world that nothing was too much for Manchester Unite.

Ryan Giggs fed the 23-year old England striker with a perfect ball, and Wayne Rooney knew it wasn’t the time to miss such a glorious opportunity.

Rooney beautifully controlled the ball before cruising trough Peter Cech, only to scuff the ball past the Chelsea goalie to clinch the Red Devils a magnificent equalizer. In fact, it could have been a superb goal, replays show that the English forward was offside.

2-2 was the score line after 90 minutes – a penalty shoot out was then decided.

Having lost on penalty shoot outs against Everton in the FA Cup semi-finals last season, and against Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup 2009, Manchester United were hoping to break their curse. Nevertheless, Giggs and Evra failed to convert their chances, and Chelsea went on to win the Community Shield 2009 4-1 on penalties.

So, in the end, Manchester United were once again denied a title trough controversy, and they can only hope that next week’s Premier League game will give them a better sign, as the start their new season with no major trophy in their hands.

Isaac Asante, WR