Charity Shield Final

Congratulations to the Artisans.

Athletic Phoenix 2
Redmond 73
Ayew 90

v

The Fabulous Artisans 3
Firmino 31, 74
Digne [c]

(one cancelled clean)

At Old Trafford. Attendance: 73,206

Teams

Athletico: Krul; Van Dijk, Chilwell, Tomkins, Maguire; Fred, Ward-Prowse, Sissoko, Redmond; Woodburn, Wood
Subs: Jakupovic; Vertonghen; Billing; Ayew

Artisans: Ramsdale; van Aanholt, Fernandez, Digne, Walker; Lingard, James, Wijnaldum, Cantwell; Firmino, Nelson
Subs: Fabianski; Femenia; Mount; Deulofeu

Report

Both these teams renewed their rivalry with an inexperienced frontman in their line-up. Reiss Nelson was given the nod by the Artisans and Ben Woodburn got a rare outing for the Phoenix, although he was replaced very early on. Woodburn’s replacement, Jordan Ayew, had the first decent chance of the game but slid just wide from close range on 31 minutes. The Artisans benefited from that escape immediately. Roberto Firmino leapt highest to head in a superb curling cross to give his team the lead and that was the only score in the first half.

Ayew and Nathan Redmond had been busy for Athletico and it was little surprise when an equaliser came after 73 minutes. Redmond dinked over the keeper to cap off a fantastic team move. There’s an old cliche about it being a dangerous time just after a team has scored. So it proved a minute later as Firmino had time to take a touch ten yards out and find the top corner to restore the Artisans lead. As the clock ran down towards injury time Ayew produced some magic to make it 2-2. He shimmied and pirouetted away from five defenders and sent a delicate chip over the onrushing Artisans keeper.

Had Athletico forced a replay? It wasn’t to be. Lucas Digne kept the clean sheet that sees the Artisans become the seventh different Charity Shield winners.

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How they got there:

Semi-finals

Athletico Phoenix 2 v 0 San Dimas High School (after 1-1 draw)
The Wateringhole Society 3 v 6 The Fabulous Artisans

Quarter-finals

Athletico Phoenix 6 v 1 YTFIB
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum 1 v 5 The Wateringhole Society
San Dimas High School 3 v 1 Markian United
The Fabulous Artisans 3 v 1 Trusted By Millions (after 1-1 draw)