Man Utd stun City with comeback win

Manchester United reminded Manchester City just who remained English football’s leading force as they recovered from 2-0 down to win a thrilling Community Shield clash 3-2.

Portugal winger Nani completed the Premier League champion’s remarkable comeback in injury time, scoring his second goal of the game after robbing City captain Vincent Kompany of possession near Wembley’s halfway line.

Having trailed to first-half goals by Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko despite dominating chances and possession, United got back in the game when Chris Smalling tapped in Ashley Young’s 52nd-minute free kick.

Seven minutes later, Nani lifted the ball over goalkeeper Joe Hart to round off a sparkling team move.

The match looked to be heading for a penalty shootout until Nani won the ball from Kompany in the fourth minute of injury time, ran unchallenged into the area and rounded Hart to score.

“We all believe until the last minute and the attitude of the lads in the second half was that everyone believed we could score,” Nani said.

“It is good to play against Man City and win like that. I think our fans today will be so proud of us.

“It is a beautiful day to enjoy.”

Lescott was arguably City’s best player, blocking a close-range effort by Smalling on the line and deflecting a free kick by Nani past the post before he headed in David Silva’s 38th-minute free kick.

The central defender also made a crucial challenge on Wayne Rooney in the 69th when United had worked a three-on-two opening, but City’s attacking players were overshadowed by Nani, Ashley Young, Rooney and Danny Welbeck.

United cleared a corner kick up to halfway and Kompany, the City captain, was beaten by Nani. With the United fans roaring, the winger outpaced his opponent, dodged to the left around Hart and hit the winner.

“I tried to chip it but the keeper stayed on his feet, so at the last second I changed my mind,” Nani said.

But the game itself was far from charitable, Dzeko and Anderson were both booked in the first half when they went chest to chest following the striker’s tackle from behind, while City fullback Micah Richards was lucky not to get a red card for a high two-footed lunge on Young on the left corner of the area.

Lescott beat Rio Ferdinand to the ball to make it 1-0 before new United goalkeeper David de Gea was at fault for Dzeko’s goal – allowing the Bosnia striker’s speculative shot in first-half injury time to slip over his outstretched hand.

It was only at 2-0 down that United really hurt City.

Ferguson revamped his central defense in what he said was a planned move for the second half, introducing Phil Jones and Jonny Evans for Vidic and Ferdinand, and brought on young midfielder Tom Cleverley for Michael Carrick.

Cleverley was key to the move that was started and finished by Nani, taking a pass from Rooney and slipping it to the Portugal winger to finish from about 6 yards (meters).

De Gea atoned for his error late on when he punched away a goal-bound effort by substitute Adam Johnson, keeping the score at 2-2 and setting the scene for Nani’s winner.

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