CHELSEA and Liverpool take centre stage at the Millennium Stadium for the 2006 Community Shield. Originally contested as a fixture between amateurs and professionals in 1908, the FA Charity Shield (as it was previously known) became the season's traditional pipe opener between the League champions and the FA Cup winners. But with several European matches already played this season and the domestic programme well underway, this 84th contest for the Shield can hardly be termed as a seasonal curtain-raiser.
Jose Mourinho's double Premiership champions face the Merseysiders for the first time since seeing their dreams of a domestic double shattered by Rafa Benitez' side in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in April. These sides, under their current managers, have clashed no fewer than 10 times in the last two seasons and controversy was never far away. Chelsea won all four Premiership contests and the 2004/05 Carling Cup final, but Liverpool gained the most prized victory in knocking the Londoners out of the Champions League on their way to lifting the trophy, in the season before last.
Two Didier Drogba goals proved sufficient for the Blues to win last season's Community Shield, 2-1 against Arsenal. They then went on to successfully defend the Premiership title. It was only the third time in 16 years that a club had won the Shield and the League title in the same season.
LIVERPOOL have an early opportunity to assess their title credentials against the reigning champions of England. Benitez believes he has a stronger squad this term, and as such it will be a fascinating contest, as the FA Cup winners return to the scene of their triumph over West Ham in May. A six-goal thriller was decided on penalties. Skipper Steven Gerrard fittingly lifted the silverware, for it was his stunning last-minute strike that forced extra-time and kept the Reds in the contest.
The Merseysiders are not short on experience as far as this early season feature is concerned. This will be their 21st appearance in the Charity/Community Shield. Only Manchester United have figured more often (23 times). Liverpool have won it in regular play on eight occasions. They also claimed it once after a penalty shoot-out, and shared the trophy five times when the contest was declared a draw. Chelsea are making only their sixth appearance and seeking a fourth victory.
Martin Atkinson has been selected to referee this match. The 35 year old from Yorkshire showed just one red card in 18 Premiership matches last season (Darren Moore, West Brom). He did not officiate any of Chelsea's League games, and controlled just two of Liverpool's - the 2-0 defeat at Fulham and the goalless home draw with Charlton.
998 comments
Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 13:36
Sports Thread
Confidential 😢
Say your farwealls then 😢
Exquisite Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 13:37
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awwww, same thng happened with TI well was called Muslim studio so sad, anyways back to the topic sports
Exquisite Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:11
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50 minute till kick off:
Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:12
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Are you counting the seconds down or something? 😂
Who playing anyway? 8)
zara Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:15
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liverpool v chelsea
Exquisite Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:16
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yeah i always do a countdown, 46 minutes to go
as if u didnt no who is playing LIVERPOOL n chelsea
Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:19
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Oh don’t encourage her 😛
zara Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:20
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i thought you wanted to know
liverpool HAVE to win! HAVE to!
Exquisite Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:20
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i dont need encouraging, we r gna kick @ss
Noor Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:21
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CHELSEA TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!
Exquisite Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:21
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wooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooo, yes go sis
Noor Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:22
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errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr NO!
zara Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:22
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if chelsea lose, i am the happiest person on this planet
Exquisite Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:24
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oh no, not u sis plz
Noor Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:25
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O YES!!!!!
zara Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:27
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how many chelsea fans do we have? :?
Exquisite Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:28
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i fink two, saint george n noor are the chelski fans
zara Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:29
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phew!
i'm arsenal fan!!! you?
Noor Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:31
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arsenal!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Exquisite Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:32
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havent you guessed LIVERPOOL
brother shazan is an arsenal fan
zara Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:34
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chelsea are
SUCKERS!!!
zara Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 14:35
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i support liverpool in this match, hope they win, i wanna see chelsea go down
Sirus Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 15:28
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who are all these teams y'all goin on about?
Its about Manchester United Football Club 8)
im not bothering watching the chairty sheild...but i reckon liverpool will win.
now that st porgy is bak, i cant say i hope cheslki win :twisted:
Good to have you back mate, jus in time for August 20th - the KO of the new season 8)
new season, open title, same title pretenders, no new contenders, United 1st, chelski 2nd, Liverpool 4th, Tottenham 5th, Reading 6th, Arsenal 7th 8)
Sirus Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 15:29
Sports Thread
Oh saint george, what you gotta say about this?
😃
that is evil, and cruel, and wrong
but thats chelsea
oh...im right, liverpool are winning
Noor Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 15:29
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I used to LOVE Man U, but they have gone CRAP!
its all about
CHELSEA now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sirus Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 15:33
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ur not a supporter than are you
the word for you is, Glory Hunter
you can join St george....
Noor Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 15:34
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have joined him already! 😉
Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 16:57
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NO, I was! Ask Mr.H.Khan for the details
zara Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 17:47
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Mr H.khan, whoever you are, details please!
Sirus Sun, 13 Aug 2006 - 18:47
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whos that?
as i guessed, liverpool won....dont expect to see georgey around anymore, probably nursing boll....ballack's injury 😃
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