For over 110 years, the Community Shield (or the Charity Shield as it was formerly known), has acted as the curtain raiser to a new Premier League campaign, and whilst it may not be considered a major trophy, by most parties at least anyway, it gives English football fans a much-needed fix of top-class action after the summer’s dry spell, and still attracts plenty of interest in the betting exchange.
So, as the dust settles on Leicester City’s recent triumph, their first in the competition since 1971, let’s take a look back at the last four editions of the Community Shield — including the Foxes’ victory over Manchester City at Wembley Stadium earlier this month. Read on to find out more!
2021: Leicester City 1-0 Manchester City
Despite being one of the first big matches to take place with no crowd restrictions, just over 45,000 fans attended Wembley for this year’s Community Shield final. Those watching on from the comfort of their own homes could tell that the 90,000-seater venue was only half-full, as little atmosphere was made by either set of supporters during a rather drab, dull affair. Both sides lacked cutting edge, with just eight shots on target throughout the 90 minutes, and Nathan Aké, who made just 10 league appearances for Manchester City last season, didn’t do himself any favours, giving away a penalty in the last minute — which former Man City striker Kelechi Iheanacho fired past Zack Steffen with no real issues.
2020: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool (5-4 penalties)
The 2020 Community Shield final was another rather poor showing, as the defending Premier League champions, Liverpool, once again fell foul to the FA Cup winners, Arsenal. The Gunners got off to the perfect start, with their skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang giving them the lead inside the opening 15 minutes, and they held on by the skin of their teeth for over 50 minutes of football. However, Liverpool eventually made their dominance count, with Takumi Minamino levelling the scores in the 73rd minute. With no extra-time, the match headed for penalties, where young Rhian Brewster missed the only spot kick as Arsenal ran out 5-4 winners.
2019: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (4-5 penalties)
That defeat to Mikel Arteta’s men was actually the Reds’ second short coming in as many years, as they lost the 2019 Community Shield final to Man City. With Pep Guardiola’s men winning both the Premier League and the FA Cup in the previous season, they went up against Liverpool, who finished second in the league, at Wembley. In fact, the 2020 edition of the Community Shield was almost a carbon copy of this match, as Gabriel Jesus fired Man City into the lead early on, before Joël Matip levelled with around 15 minutes left to play. This time though, it was Georginio Wijnaldum who missed the only penalty of the shootout, gifting City a 5-4 win.
2018: Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City
Having failed to win in any of their four previous Community Shield outings, Manchester City dealt Chelsea their fifth defeat on the trot in the Wembley showpiece. With 12 goals from 23 games, Sergio Agüero was often a thorn in the side of the west London outfit, and he proved too much to handle for Chelsea in this game — netting a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 victory for Man City.
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