Man Utd retain the Community Shield

Gary Neville lifted the Community Shield for Manchester United when they beat Portsmouth 3-1 on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes at Wembley.

Carlos Tevez, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick slotted their spot-kicks away almost nonchalantly to retain the silverware, while Lassana Diarra, Arnold Mvuemba and Glen Johnson were woeful with theirs.

The better team won on the day and the shield comes only months after they secured the Premier League and European trophies.

The Red Devils looked more likely to score throughout the match, with Portuguese whizz-kid Nani humiliating Pompey's defence on several occasions.

Defender Neville made his long-awaited comeback for Manchester United in what was his first domestic game since breaking an ankle 17 months ago.

For FA Cup winners Portsmouth, the potentially lethal strike force of £11 million signing Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe started the game but were limited to few chances, such was the effectiveness of the Red Devils' defence.

Neither keeper had yet been tested in the first-half by an effort on goal until some pitiful defending by right-back Johnson was capitalised upon by Nani, who presented Darren Fletcher with the simplest of opportunities to score, only for the Scot to miss wretchedly.

United began to consolidate their attacking play and Nani went through on a splendid solo burst down the left but in trying to lob over James he put his shot wide of the target.

They opened the second half strongly and within five minutes James had to tip Fletcher's lob against the crossbar after punching out a corner only as far as the Scot lurking on the edge of the area.

The goalkeeper's luck was in when Tevez headed the rebound straight back into his arms.

The pace of the game petered out and penalties seemed inevitable.

There are bigger things to contest for both teams this season, but Manchester United will be the team to beat after this effective display.

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