Premiership champions Manchester United and FA Cup winners Chelsea are locked in a 1-1 draw at half time of the Community Shield match at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Ryan Giggs scored the opening goal of the match to put United in the ascendancy while new boy Florent Malouda restored parity for the Blues with a fine strike.

After the opening quarter of midfield battle in which Chelsea had more possession but neither side made any clear-cut attempt on goal, the match rose to life.

United skipper Giggs’ attempt was thwarted by England left-back Ashley Cole, who showed no signs of holding back after only returning to action recently following an ankle operation.

Michael Carrick’s long-ranger then missed the target as United upped the ante. The Blues responded in earnest and in the 26th minute, John Obi Mikel failed to connect on with his head as Michael Essien had glanced his header off a free-kick, close to the United goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo saw his cross at the other end of the pitch go begging as left-back Mikael Silvestre failed to get on the end of it with the Blues right-back Glen Johnson doing well.

Giggs scored the only goal of the half in the 35th minute with a sweetly-struck first-time shot from inside the 18-yard box, off Patrice Evra’s reverse pass after Cristiano Ronaldo had sent the Frenchman through with a lovely ball.

A crucial role in the goal was played by the Red Devils defender Nemanja Vidic, whose free-kick from deep was pin-point accurate with Evra, who was playing in advanced position, chesting the ball down for a one-two with Ronaldo.

Chelsea looked to be more adventurous towards the last five minutes and pushed more bodies upfront.

Malouda made a great start to his Blues career scoring the equaliser in the 45th minute after being set up with a superb long ball from Ashley Cole. The France winger out-muscled England defender Rio Ferdinand and put a brilliant finish on the ball to beat Edwin Van der Sar.

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