Sergio Aguero netted a brace as Manchester City defeated Chelsea 2-0 to lift their fifth Community Shield.
City’s record goalscorer reached a landmark 200 goals in Sky Blue after neat assists from Phil Foden and then Bernardo Silva.
Pep Guardiola’s outfit looked hungrier, sharper and fitter than Maurizio Sarri’s men despite the Italian having more first-team players at his disposal for the duration of pre-season.
Aguero’s first came on the 16th minute; his left-footed strike left former blue Willy Caballero helpless after Foden broke into Chelsea’s last line of defence.
Claudio Bravo was well protected in goal as the London side managed just one touch in his box throughout the entire first half.
Just 12 minutes after play resumed for the second 45 minutes, Aguero scored again. Compensating for an earlier gilt-edged opportunity, the Argentine made no mistake in finishing an excellent counter-attack started by defender John Stones.
Guardiola was afforded six substitutes in a hot day at Wembley and the boss used them all, introducing a mix of returning World Cup stars and City starlets.
In what was a comprehensive win for City, we’ve given our player ratings.
Claudio Bravo - 6
A quiet day in the sun for the Chilean. Aside from a minor gaffe in the first half, Bravo was typically at ease with the ball at his feet throughout the game.
Kyle Walker - 6
Making a return to a more natural role than the one he had in Russia this summer, Walker’s pace came in handy once more in fending off Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi.
John Stones - 6
Like Walker, Stones maintained his solid performances internationally in a return to club football.
Aymeric Laporte - 7
City’s best defender today. Laporte was well disciplined, kept Alvaro Morata quiet and passed out from the back positively.
Benjamin Mendy - 6
Looked like a new signing. Appreciate the work Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko did last season but neither possess the pace, strength or attacking threat Mendy does.
Fernandinho - 6
City’s stand-in captain might not have found himself starting today if Pep had his way in the transfer market but the Brazilian was his usual self in recovery and distribution albeit a quiet day.
Phil Foden - 6
Never looked out of place. Set up Aguero nicely for City’s first. Hope to see more of him this season than we did last.
Bernardo Silva - 7
My man of the match today. Particularly excellent when used centrally, which could well be a new weapon in Guardiola’s arsenal this season.
Riyad Mahrez - 6
Fairly quiet debut for Mahrez. Dazzled Marcos Alonso a few times in the first half but I suspect there’s much more to come from the Algerian.
Leroy Sane - 6
Similar to Mahrez although the German may have scored had his touch been better when Aguero slipped him in. Was taken off as a precaution during half-time.
Sergio Aguero - 7
Took both goals very well, especially goal number 200. Link-up play could always improve but Aguero was as sharp as ever in front of goal.
Ilkay Gundogan - 6
Swapped at half-time for fellow German, Sane. Played his part in City’s sweeping counter for the second goal.
Gabriel Jesus - 5
Didn’t make too much of an impact after replacing Mahrez with just over 20 minutes to spare.
Brahim Diaz - 6
City’s most lively substitute, I thought. Skinned Alonso minutes after being brought on and had a half-chance to make it 3-0 when slipped through in the latter stages of the game.
Other subs - N/A
Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi and Claudio Gomes were brought on too late to make any impact – particularly Gomes who might have genuinely been on the pitch for two seconds before Jon Moss blew the full-time whistle.