Manchester United 0 Portsmouth 0(United won 3-1 on penalties): Manchester United repeated their Moscow heroics by claiming the Community Shield with a penalty shoot-out win over Portsmouth.
There was none of the same drama though as United sauntered through three successful spot-kicks with only Jermain Defoe successful in reply. It represented the first of what could turn out to be seven trophies for the Red Devils this season.
But more important for Alex Ferguson, who has now completed a lucky seven victories in the curtain-raiser, it emphasised the class United proved last season still remains as they prepare for the defence of their Premier League and Champions League crowns.
Portsmouth have been held up by some, including United captain Gary Neville, as potential top-four material this term. Yet for all the added bulk and height Peter Crouch brings to a forward line Defoe was only introduced to in January, it has come at the expense of key midfielder Sulley Muntari, who has left for Inter Milan.
Undoubtedly, pivotal figures such as David James, Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin are a year older, which hardly points to greater success given the added weight of Uefa Cup fixtures after last season's FA Cup triumph.
Not that the veterans in Harry Redknapp's squad were tested too much in an unspectacular opening half-hour. It was 26 minutes before either side forced a save, James beating away Ryan Giggs' near-post piledriver.
Carlos Tevez had seen his shot blocked, while Lassana Diarra volleyed wildly over at the other end but it was United who looked most likely to create a clear opening, which duly arrived at Darren Fletcher's feet just past the half hour.
With Fabio Capello watching from the stands, Glen Johnson would have been mildly embarrassed to be robbed so easily by Nani. The winger's cross caught the Portsmouth defence flat-footed. But instead of sliding the opener into an unguarded goal, Fletcher somehow managed to get the ball stuck under his body. The scoring chance gone, Fletcher attempted to scoop a pass to Tevez, only to meet with failure there as well.
After spurning the earlier golden opportunity, Fletcher came agonisingly close to giving United the lead they deserved with a superb chip that was heading in until James touched it onto the bar.
The rebound came at Tevez pretty quickly, leaving him no time to do anything other than nod it straight to the Portsmouth keeper.
The chances started to mount for United as James denied both Giggs and Nani before producing a full-length fingertip save to touch round a Tevez effort that was heading for the corner.
Both sides had good penalty appeals turned down, Hermann Hreidarsson pulling Tevez down with a firm grip of the ankle, before prospective England skipper Rio Ferdinand smashed a shot into the side-netting.
It was the prelude to a niggly last few minutes as Fraizer Campbell was buffeted around and Paul Scholes caught Papa Bouba Diop. Amid the fraying tempers, Tevez's shot flew over after flicking off Distin.
But in the end, it went down to penalties. And one suspects, after their nailbiting win over Chelsea, this time there was no pressure for United at all.
