Just two days after completing his $140 million transfer from Aston Villa, Jack Grealish played 25 minutes in Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester in the Community Shield.
The game between last season’s league and cup winners was the first major football event held at Wembley after the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy.
Grealish was subbed in after 65 minutes, replacing 18-year-old Samuel Edoezie, but couldn’t influence the outcome of the encounter.
City missed star midfielders Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden through injury, while Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ederson, and Gabriel Jesus were allowed longer breaks following their involvement at the international stage this summer.
Former Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench for Leicester after 79 minutes and scored the winner in the 89th minute when he beat keeper Zack Steffen from the penalty spot.
With Pep Guardiola in charge, City won both of the Community Shield trophies they challenged for: first in 2018 against Chelsea, then in 2019 when they faced Liverpool. Before winning on Saturday, Leicester only enjoyed success in the Community Shield 50 years ago, back in 1971.
Apart from adding another cup to the club’s trophy room, good news for manager Brendan Rodgers came from Harvey Barnes. The winger returned to competitive action after being sidelined with a knee problem since February. Barnes was Leicester’s most dangerous player, being involved in the majority of their threatening attacks.
Both City and Leicester now turn their attention to the Premier League. In the first round of the new season, Leicester hosts Wolves on Saturday, while defending champions City return to London to play Tottenham Hotspur a day later.
COMMUNITY SHIELD WINNERS! 🆠pic.twitter.com/4E8GniiXEK
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 7, 2021
