Community Shield

I got the time to watch the remainder of the Community Shield last night. Good to see Manchester United beat RMA (that's Roman's Mercenary Army) for the title. Beyond that, not much of a game. Chelsea looked rather drab and boring. They missed Drogba big time. Michael Essien was on the field, but I'm not sure where he was playing. He usually stands out, but he was a member of the woodwork yesterday.

Speaking of going missing, when I finally saw Frank Lampard take the ball into the Manchester half, I nearly choked, "That's the boy on the milk carton!" But then he passed the ball and went missing again.

Watching the match, I didn't get much confidence that Chelsea would be able to push for the title. Sure, they've got enough talent, but they often don't do much with it. Of course, the Community Shield was developed exactly so that players like Pizarro and Wright-Phillips can see a real pitch in match conditions. And, by the way, the announcers repeated it so often I was beginning to think that Shaun Wright-Phillips real name is No End Product. I doubt the lad will see another game for Chelsea this year. Very disappointing. And at times, he just looked flustered and confused.

Nick Webster with his usual incisive analysis of the match. He's spot on again. And yes, Malouda's goal was sensational, but blame it on Rio, Ferdinand's defending was lackadaisical. Webser doesn't go to it, but those were the three worst consecutive PKs I've seen at that level. Pizarro tipped his shot with an early lean and none of them were beyond Van Der Saar's wingspan, even if he'd stood still. Of course, he didn't. He parsed out each shot correctly. The Red Devils, on the other hand, shot for the posts.

But, speaking of  challenging for the title, Bobby MacMahon begins his annual (and 4-part) dissertation of who will and who won't over at FoxSoccer.com. Arsenal at 3rd. I think that's a compliment given the presumed 1 and 2, and the changes at Emirates. Let's hope the Gunners challenge for first.

And, finally, Celtic. 0-0 with Kilmarnock? Wazz up, Bhoys? First points for Killie at Celtic Park in 52 years. Rangers are going to jump all over a slow start.