Keane sees red as Chelsea triumph

Mario Melchiot doubles Chelsea's advantage

Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United

There was little charity on display at Wembley as Manchester United and Chelsea lined up alongside each other under a sultry August sky.

Much is expected of Sir Alex Ferguson's and Gianluca Vialli's men this season and determined looks were etched on the faces of both sides from the whistle.

It was clear the tie would be anything but friendly, both sides notched up a win over the other last season, but Chelsea's 5-0 drubbing of the Premiership champions remains a painful reminder of the proud northern side's defensive frailties.

Tempers flared a number of times, taking attention away from a game which Chelsea dominated, and the bad feeling culminated with Manchester United's infamous captain being sent off for the seventh time during his time at the club.

Chelsea had last won the Charity Shield in 1955 so their fans could be forgiven for thinking it was about time the trophy returned to Stamford Bridge.

Tempers flared several times during the contest

Indeed, the blue half of Wembley had greater cause to feel satisfied for much of the first half.

Chelsea's passing was crisper, their link-up play more inventive and it showed in the number of chances they created.

The first danger however, was caused by Frank LeBoeuf who felled Teddy Sheringham in prime David Beckham country.

Despite the referee having the option of moving the free-kick ten yards closer to goal if his decision was greeted with dissent, the Chelsea players kept quiet allowing Beckham his full range.

There was to be no early breakthrough though, the ball rebounding off the wall of blue shirts.

Ferguson saw what will undoubtedly be his first-choice pairing in the centre of defence reunited when Silvestre was forced to the bench with an injury.

Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke appeared late on

Jaap Stam, who has yet to regain full match fitness, lined up alongside Ronny Johnsen who was greatly missed through injury for much of last season.

The match was not exactly being played in a charitable spirit and referee Mike Riley had to calm things down after Gustavo Poyet clashed with Roy Keane - Roberto Di Matteo and Teddy Sheringham getting unnecessarily involved.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink gave the Chelsea faithful a sparkling display of his talents.

Several times in the early stages his power and pace led him into great positions - none better than on 22 minutes when his shot deflected off Stam past Barthez to put put Chelsea 1-0 up.

Man United's defenders could do worse than flick through a French dictionary before the season proper starts.

On several occasions there was a distinct lack of communication between Barthez and his back line - a two-goal deficit only being prevented by the quick feet of Denis Irwin.

Manchester United took to the pitch with greater resolve in the second half and soon made an impact.

As they picked up the pace, temperatures at pitch level also began to soar.

Wise escaped a booking when his late challenge scythed Ryan Giggs down in full flow on 60 minutes.

Authority

Only a minute later, the referee was forced to reach into his pocket when Keane committed a cynical challenge on Gustavo Poyet.

The Man United captain was red-carded for his trouble and left the pitch in disgrace for the first - and perhaps not the last - time this season.

The dismissal, combined with an impromptu rain shower, cooled things down and the match took on an altogether different atmosphere when Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were replaced by Dwight Yorke and Andrew Cole.

Jody Morris replaced Roberto Di Matteo at the other end of the pitch - but it was a defender not a striker who was the next to stamp his authority on the match.

Mario Melchiot, playing at right back, struck a fierce left-footed shot which took Barthez completely by surprise and doubled Chelsea's advantage.

Just six weeks after Fabien Barthez helped France add the European Championship to their World crown, he got his first taste of the rough and tumble readily dished out in the Premiership.

Judging by the Charity Shield, there's no reason to think this season may not be the hottest Premiership battle yet.