NACH OF THE DAY
Kelechi delivers with a dramatic late pen as Grealish misses out
IT was ironic that a goal from Manchester City reject Kelechi Iheanacho left Jack Grealish waiting for his first trophy.
The Leicester striker finally found a way past the champions’ outstanding keeper Zack Steffen from the penalty spot two minutes from time, after forcing Nathan Ake into the mistake that led to the spot-kick.
It was enough to give Brendan Rodgers’ FA Cup holders the season’s first piece of silverware. It is only the second time the Foxes have lifted the Community Shield.
This triumph came 50 years to the day since they beat Liverpool after Arsenal had opted to go on tour instead of playing in the traditional season curtain-raiser.
Steffen, a US international, had produced some outstanding saves to keep Pep Guardiola’s side in the contest.
And when Guardiola sent Grealish into the fray for the last 25 minutes, just 48 hours after the midfielder had sealed his £100million move to the Etihad, it illustrated how much the Catalan wanted the Shield. But Iheanacho settled the contest after coming on as an 89th-minute substitute – just as it seemed to be heading for a shootout.
Great things were expected of the Nigerian striker when he came through the ranks at the Etihad. But Guardiola didn’t think he was good enough and sold him to Leicester for £25m.
He was outstanding in the Foxes’ march to Wembley last season – and how he enjoyed his moment against his former club. Guardiola had nine of his title-winning stars missing – and Grealish was on the bench.
There was still plenty of quality in his side, although there was also an opportunity for teenage forwards Sam Edozie and Cole Palmer to impress.
Leicester, who suffered a crushing blow ahead of the new campaign when defender Wesley Fofana broke his leg against Villarreal in midweek, looked much more familiar.
But it was the champions who carried the early threat as Ilkay Gundogan’s 30-yard free-kick was kept out only by Kasper Schmeichel’s flying save.
And Caglar Soyuncu was fortunate when his attempt to volley clear Benjamin Mendy’s cross saw him slice the ball over his own crossbar.
Jamie Vardy has home-and-away hat-tricks against Guardiola. He might have had another match-ball to take home from Wembley. His first effort on target was a snap-shot that was turned around the post by Steffen.
Ayoze Perez then fired a weak shot straight at Steffen after Youri Tielemans had found him six yards from goal. Steffen then stood tall to block out another Vardy shot from close-range when it seemed the Leicester striker must score.
And although Edozie blazed a decent chance over from Gundogan’s pass at the other end, it was the champions who were hanging on for half-time.
Vardy thought he had scored when Harvey Barnes’ cross found him lurking with intent at the far post. But while the striker caught his half-volley flush, he saw Steffen somehow change direction to turn the ball against the post.
There was a response from Guardiola’s side after the break. Gundogan fired wastefully over from 10 yards before Riyad Mahrez also shot too high after racing clear.
It seemed to be heading for penalties – and Guardiola tried to force the issue by summoning Grealish from the bench after 65 minutes for Edozie.
That was the first of a raft of substitutions as both managers looked towards next weekend’s Premier League kick-off.
Grealish showcased some of his skills from his position wide on the left. Yet Steffen had to excel again, racing from his goal to snatch the ball off the toes of Leicester new-boy Patson Daka.
Then, in the 85th minute, Ake’s tentative first touch allowed Iheanacho to take the ball away.
Ake’s attempt to recover possession was clumsy and although Steffen saved superbly again from Daka, referee Paul Tierney punished the earlier foul.
Iheanacho kept his cool to win it.