Man City outclass Chelsea to win Community Shield
Sergio Aguero reached another milestone as Manchester City warmed up for their Premier League title defence with a convincing 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley.
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Pep Guardiola had spoken of his enduring motivation despite last season's record-breaking campaign, and his champions bristled with energy even without several key men to leave Maurizio Sarri with plenty to ponder ahead of next weekend's top-flight kick-off.
Riyad Mahrez, making his competitive City debut in the sunshine, sent a free-kick into the Chelsea wall and then threaded through a clever ball that Aguero failed to catch cleanly.
But when Phil Foden was allowed to drive at goal, Aguero this time met his lay-off with a firm left boot.
Chelsea struggled for a foothold in the contest - Jorginho laboured against the side he nearly joined - and when the peripheral Alvaro Morata was let in by Kyle Walker's poor touch, the Spaniard curled well off-target.
The livelier Callum Hudson-Odoi followed suit the other side of a drinks break, before going
Mahrez and Leroy Sane had spurned chances to extend City's lead before the break with heavy touches and Aguero was wasteful soon after the restart, one tame shot followed by another into the side-netting after another smart Foden pass.
But his 201st goal - and City's second - finally came just before the hour mark, John Stones sparking a counter-attack and Bernardo Silva playing a fine reverse pass for Aguero to this time finish.
Bravo's fumble as a Ross Barkley ball spun dangerously almost earned Chelsea a late consolation but Willy Cabellero had to beat away efforts from Brahim Diaz and Gabriel Jesus to keep the score down and Sarri was left scribbling in his notebook as Guardiola tasted familiar success.