Liverpool 3 Bayer Leverkusen 1: Carroll shows his worth by rounding off tidy win

Andy Carroll provided Brendan Rodgers with a reminder of his talent as Liverpool ended their pre-season programme with the most comfortable of victories.

The England striker, whose future has been the subject of huge speculation this summer, came on as a second half substitute and made a significant contribution with a 20-yard left-footed drive in the 66th minute that put Liverpool 3-0 up in front of the Kop.
Though Sidney Sam pulled one back for Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool were never in any danger from the moment the impressive Raheem Sterling opened the scoring with an exquisite curling shot early in the first half and Lucas Leiva doubled the tally when tapping into an empty net shortly after.

Still don't want me? Andy Carroll fired home the third goal

Home again: Sami Hyypia returned to Anfield as Bayer Leverkusen manager

 

With Newcastle and West Ham United still pursing Carroll, many will wonder whether this will prove to be his final goal at Anfield but Rodgers, who has insisted he would be more than happy for the 23-year-old to fight for his future, was delighted to see him score.

‘It was a terrific goal from Big Andy,’ said Rodgers, whose side will open the new Barclays Premier League campaign with a trip to West Brom next Saturday. ‘It was a clever move and a lovely piece of play from Charlie Adam, who would have been expecting a pass back, to set Andy in.
‘The big guy has had stick that he cannot play this way but he let it go through his legs well and he tucked it away nicely. I thought the players were excellent and showed great determination. We will arrive next week with a clean bill of health.’

Back in business: Lucas Leiva celebrates his strike

Young gun: Raheem Sterling opened the scoring

New signing Joe Allen could not make his Anfield bow after Swansea refused to give him dispensation to play. The Wales midfielder joined Liverpool after Friday’s 5pm deadline but he could have featured against the Germans had Swansea given him the green light.
As a result, Allen’s only action before the big kick-off will come in Llanelli in midweek, when Wales tackle Bosnia in a friendly. There had been questions over whether Allen would feature in that game but Rodgers is happy for him to travel.
‘We wanted Joe to play here but he could not,’ said Rodgers. ‘So 45-60 minutes in midweek will not hurt him. I have spoken to all the managers, like Roy (Hodgson) and Morten Olsen. To be fair, they all know where we are at (with our players) this moment in time.’

Up and over: Carroll heads over the bar

The game saw Sami Hyypia return to Anfield for the first time in a competitive guise since he brought his distinguished 10-year career to an end in 2009 and while Leverkusen’s manager was thrilled with the reception he received, he was less thrilled with his side’s performance.
‘I came here to win the game so from defeat you cannot take that much self-confidence from the game,’ said Hyypia, who won 10 major honours during his time on Merseyside. ‘But Liverpool played very well. They have a new system which is difficult to play against.
‘Time will tell but I hope they can challenge for the top four. As long the style is working, every style is okay. At the end of the day, winning is all that matters. I am just grateful I had the chance to come back here.’

Chelsea 2 Manchester City 3: First blood to champions as Mancini's men edge feisty clash

As the Olympics reached a thundering climax in London, the football season snuck in almost unnoticed through the side door.

The Community Shield did at least provide us with a decent game, though, and for that we should all be thankful.
Manchester City, helped by the first-half sending-off of Branislav Ivanovic, have another trophy to take home to the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea, meanwhile, approached the season with the chance to win seven competitions but will now have to downgrade to six.

Off the mark: Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany lifts the Community Shield

We'll drink to that: Nigel De Jong (left) and Carlos Tevez party on the pitch at Villa Park

Out of the blocks: Samir Nasri is mobbed after scoring Man City's third goal

Put your shirt on it: Carlos Tevez paid tribute to his home in Argentina after scoring the second (left)

MATCH FACTS

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech 6; Ivanovic 5, Luiz 5, Terry 6, Cole 7; Mikel 5, Lampard 6; Hazard 6 (Bertrand 71min, 7), Mata 7 (Sturridge 74, 6), Ramires 7; Torres 7.
Subs not used: Turnbull, Cahill, Essien, Meireles, Piazon.
Scorers: Torres 40, Bertrand 79. 
Booked: Ramires, Lampard, Cole, Bertrand, Luiz.
Sent off: Ivanovic. 
Manchester City (3-5-2): Pantilimon 5; Savic 5 (Clichy 45, 6), Kompany 7, Zabaleta 7; Milner 7, Y Toure 8, De Jong 7, Nasri 7 (Silva 76), Kolarov 7; Tevez 7 (Dzeko 88), Aguero 7.
Subs not used: Johansen, K Toure, Johnson, Razak.
Scorers: Toure 53, Tevez 59, Nasri 65.
Booked: Savic, Kompany, Pantilimon.
Man of the match: Yaya Toure.
Referee: Kevin Friend 7.
Attendance: 36,394.

Certainly Ivanovic’s dismissal helped to shape this game. Chelsea were leading by a Fernando Torres goal on an afternoon that was at that point short of drama when the Chelsea defender — who has some previous — slid his studs into  Aleksandar Kolarov’s ankle moments before half-time.
Referee Kevin Friend didn’t hesitate to send off the Serbia defender and from that point on the territory, the impetus and, ultimately, the game belonged to City.
It would have been interesting to see what would have happened had all 22 players remained on the field. It may have provided us with  more of a marker for the season  to come.
As it was, City moved through the gears in the second half to disable Chelsea’s challenge and secure  victory with three very good goals. ‘We were certainly better after the sending off,’ conceded City  manager Roberto Mancini. ‘I can’t deny that it helped us. It was easier after that and we played better.’
Given all that has gone on in London over the last fortnight, this game had a peculiar look to it at  the start. The fact it took place  at a less-than-full Villa Park didn’t help.
Early on it threatened to live down to expectations. Chelsea’s new signing Eden Hazard looked lively at times but then fell over when attempting a backheel. For a while that was a highlight.
Happily things soon improved and in the 40th minute Chelsea’s Brazilian Ramires skipped past Pablo Zabaleta and passed to Torres, who controlled the ball with his right foot and scored expertly with his left.
It was a lead that Chelsea perhaps deserved. City at this point were only fitfully fluent.

Clinical: Fernando Torres clipped home the opening goal for Chelsea

Main man: Torres is mobbed by his team-mates as he attempts to fill Didier Drogba's boots

Wild: Branislav Ivanovic was sent off for this lunge on Aleksandar Kolarov

Off you go: Chelsea appeals to referee Kevin Friend were ignored after Ivanovic's foul

Nevertheless Ivanovic’s dismissal proved too much for Chelsea to cope with in the second half. David Luiz remains a problem for them at centre half and he was a liability when faced with a monopoly of City possession after the interval. Just in front of him, John Mikel Obi was not much better.
The dam, such as it was, burst in the 53rd minute when the  imperious Yaya Toure drove a fierce shot into the corner after John Terry had only partially cleared. Twelve minutes later it was 3-1 and the game was over.
There was something to admire in each of the goals but Carlos Tevez’s strike to make it 2-1 was perhaps the pick.
Enthusiasts should be careful before they get too carried away with Tevez’s pre-season form. He remains capricious and unpredictable.
Nevertheless he does look fit, ready and eager at the moment and his right-foot shot into the top  corner from 18 yards just before  the hour was one of his best in City colours.

Hitting back: Yaya Toure crashed the ball home to level matters after half-time

Take that: Tevez arrowed his effort into the top corner to hand City the lead

It served to deflate Chelsea, too. With half an hour left they already looked as though they felt they couldn’t win and when Samir  Nasri stretched to convert a Kolarov cross in the 65th minute  it briefly looked as though  they might succumb to an avalanche.
As it turned out City could not score again. Sergio Aguero did shoot wide of a gaping net in the final minute following a James  Milner cut-back but by then  Chelsea had scored with one of their few second-half attacks, Ryan Bertrand converting after the champions’ goalkeeper Costel  Pantilimon had spilled a low shot from Daniel Sturridge.

Delight: Samir Nasri makes it 3-1 for City at Villa Park as they closed in on victory

Pointing the way: Nasri was pleased to put his name on the scoresheet

At times the game threatened to become nasty. There were eight bookings and Frank Lampard and Ramires were fortunate not to pick up two each.
Terry, meanwhile, was subjected to constant abuse by City supporters and a man dressed as Zippy from Rainbow was thrown out by stewards at half-time.
Proof, if it were needed, that the Olympic spirit has not yet  permeated the thick skin of our national game.

Consolation: Ryan Bertrand tucks home Chelsea's second goal towards the end

Mancini 1 Di Matteo 0: The two Italians went head to head in the Community Shield curtain-raiser

Good to be back: City fans celebrate with the Poznan as their side returned to action

Jack is Mancini's lad with £12m move to Man City... but Rodwell told to 'improve'

Jack Rodwell completed his move from Everton to Manchester City on Sunday night but the £12million transfer came with a warning from Roberto Mancini that he must improve.
The City manager does not expect 21-year-old Rodwell to fulfil his potential and make an impact this season.
‘Jack Rodwell is a young player who needs to improve to play at this level,’ said Mancini. ‘But he’s young and he’s a good player for our future.

Welcome to Manchester, Jack: Rodwell has completed his £12m switch to the Premier League champions

‘It’s the first time he will be in a club that plays to win and it will be different for him, but I’m sure that, in a couple of years, he will be a top, strong midfielder.’
Rodwell had a medical on Sunday as City were fighting back from 1-0 down to beat 10-man Chelsea 3-2 in the FA Community Shield at Villa Park, before later putting pen to paper on a five-year deal.
The initial fee for the England midfielder is believed to be £12m, rising to £15m on appearances.
Meanwhile, Everton are talking to City about taking winger Adam Johnson on loan for a season. Those talks are unconnected to Rodwell’s switch but if Johnson does leave it will free up room for Mancini to sign winger Scott Sinclair from Swansea.

Jack's the lad: Rodwell leaves the Bridgewater Hospital in Moss Side on Sunday after a three-hour medical

 

Branislav Ivanovic was sent off in the first half at Villa Park for a high tackle on Aleksandar Kolarov and will be banned for the first three games of the campaign — against Wigan, Reading and Newcastle. His suspension adds urgency to Chelsea’s efforts to capture Spanish right back Cesar Azpilicueta from Marseille.

Roberto Di Matteo queried the red card, but his team were fortunate not to attract more disciplinary trouble.

Top talent: Rodwell impressed Mancini when he played against City

 

Chelsea had five others booked and two of them — Frank Lampard and Ramires — might have been sent off late in the game had referee Kevin Friend not been in such a lenient mood.

‘It was a competitive game, both sides were determined to win and it made a good game,’ said Di Matteo. ‘The sending-off probably changed the game. It was a sliding player. He got him and got the ball as well. ‘Sometimes the red card is given, sometimes not, but there was no intention from our player to do any harm to the opposition.’

Come and join me: Roberto Mancini is a big fan of Rodwell

Mancini predicts that Carlos Tevez could be a key figure at the Etihad Stadium again this season.
‘Last season, we had Carlos for the last 10 games but he was not 100 per cent,’ said the City boss. ‘This is the first time in four or five years that he’s had a  pre-season and that’s important.’

Cologne 0 Arsenal 4: Who needs RVP? Podolski bags two in final warm-up

Robin van Persie was left in the shadows by new Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski as the Dutchman had his first run-out for the club since he released a controversial statement revealed he planned to leave.
The Gunners were playing in their final pre-season match before the Premier League kicks off on Saturday, and ran out 4-0 winners with two goals from their £11million German striker, and one each from Thomas Vermaelen and Gervinho.

Spot on: Lukas Podolski scored twice in his first Arsenal game, their final pre-season fixture

Maybe I won't be missed: Robin van Persie only featured for 20 minutes as his new team-mate upstaged him

Van Persie was left on the bench until the last 20 minutes, with the majority of the Gunners squad being given vital playing time ahead of him. He took the captain's armband from Vermaelen after replacing Podolski and was booed by some Arsenal fans.
Other new signings Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla all featured from the start, while Abou Diaby continued his first for fitness with a much-needed appearance.

head boy: Thomas Vermaelen, the man most likely to captain the side this season, also scored

The Gunners got off to the perfect start in the Rhein Energie Stadion as Cazorla's corner kick was flicked on at the near post by Per Mertesacker for Vermaelen to power in a header at the back post.

Podolski doubled the lead against his former club from the penalty spot in the 15th minute after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down in the area.

Pure delight: The comfortable win was the perfect end to the Gunners pre-season

Welcome: Olivier Giroud, another summer signing was on show alongside Podolski

The German international then got his second three minutes before half-time after a fine pass from Francis Coquelin found Kieran Gibbs on the left. He got to the byline and cut the ball back for Podolski to apply the finish.

Cologne began the second half better but Arsenal's inventive attacking play continued to cause the home side problems and they went further behind in the 60th minute as Gervinho cut in from the wing before slotting in at the near post.

Workout: Some of those hoping to make a big impact for the first-team this year were on show

Arsenal's Miyaichi closing in on Wigan loan as Moses edges towards the exit

  Wigan are finalising a loan with Arsenal for Ryo Miyaichi.

The Japan international is still learning his trade having only featured in fits and bursts during pre-season.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes a year playing regularly in the Premier League will make him ready for the first-team at Emirates Stadium.

Wing man: Ryo Miyaichi is close to completing a loan move to Wigan

Miyaichi, a capture from his homeland in 2010, has had spells with Feyenoord and Bolton.
The move is likely to hasten the departure of Victor Moses who has been subject of a rejected bid by Chelsea. 

Roll on Rio! Brazil handed Olympic baton as London bids farewell to the Greatest Show on Earth after spectacular closing ceremony

Seb Coe hailed the London 2012 Olympics a big success on Sunday and said thank you during the nation's final farewell to the Games.
Speaking with great pride during the closing ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, he said: 'On the first day of these Games I said we were determined to do it right. I said that these Games would see the best of us.
'On this last day I can conclude with these words: "When our time came - Britain we did it right. Thank you!"

Epic: An amazing firework display was set off the top of the Olympic Park

Enjoying it? The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were in Stratford for the ceremony

The London 2012 chairman, himself a two-time Olympic 1500m champion, recognised the athletes for their world-beating performances, but spoke movingly of how Britain had backed the Games.
Lord Coe said: 'Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city.
'We lit the flame and lit up the world.'
The success can be traced back to the people who built the stadiums and the Olympic Park from where was speaking that was once a disused and deprived district through to the organisers and the sports stars who put on a great show.
He told the packed crowd: "And thank you to the people of this country. The British people got behind London's bid and they got behind London's Games. Our opening ceremony proclaimed that these would be a Games for everyone. At our closing ceremony, we can say that these were a Games by everyone.
'London 2012 has played host to some incredible sport. To awe inspiring feats, that are the result of incredible dedication and skill by the world's great sports men and women.
'To all the Olympians who came to London to compete - thank you. Those of us who came to watch witnessed moments of heroism and heartbreak that will live long in the memory.
'You have our admiration and our congratulations.'

Sight for sore eyes: The Olympic Park was lit up for the closing ceremony

Sea of stars: The audience consisted of the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Lord Sebastian Coe

I'll tell you what I want... The Spice Girls arrived in black cabs before they sang together

Jessie J was joined by Tinie Tempah on stage as they performed with Fatboy Slim

Thousands of volunteers now have the right to carry the phrase `I made London 2012' with them as a badge of honour, according to Lord Coe.
London 2012 has had the backing of the International Olympic Committee 'every step of the way,' he noted.
It has all been part of 'two glorious weeks' which he believes can carry the Olympic spirit on and inspire a generation.
After London welcomed all 204 of the competing nations to the capital for what was undoubtedly one of the greatest Olympic Games in history, athletes, fans and celebrities assembled at the closing ceremony.
If the spectacular official opening ceremony of the Games - organised by Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle - was anything to go by, the close to the Games promises to be a show and a half.
London hosted an Olympics which saw Team GB win an unbelievable 29 gold medals, dwarfing the 19 won four years prior in Beijing, and those lucky enough to have tickets have filled the Olympic Park in Stratford to bid their farewell.
To celebrate the hosting of a hugely successful Olympiad, fans were treated to a feast for the eyes and ears, amongst the spectacles are internationally renowned girl band the Spice Girls.
A mock scene of the host city was set up in the middle of the stage - far removed from the countryside scene in Boyle's opener - and Big Ben chimed a countdown before the show got started.
Emeli Sande opened proceedings before a medley of musical performances - from the likes of Madness, the Pet Shop Boys, One Direction and Ray Davies - kicked the party off for the 80,000 strong audience.
Actor Timothy Spall appeared as Winston Churchill, and delivered an address to the crowd.
After the thunderous opener, the athletes came out in their droves, with Team GB flag-bearer Ben Ainslie leading out the vastly successful British athletes as Manchester band Elbow performed their anthemic songs Open Arms and One Day Like This.

Mobbed: Mo Farah and the Team GB athletes were applauded as they made their way round the arena

Wonderwall: Liam Gallagher hit the stage to play with band Beady Eye

After the athletes paraded, waving their flags, the men's marathon medal ceremony was undertaken in front of the audience - including Prince Harry, Lord Sebastian Coe and the Duchess of Cambridge.
Then there was more music for the crowd to get their teeth into. John Lennon's Imagine was played before George Michael took to the stage. After Michael was finished, the Kaiser Chiefs performed as lead singer Ricky Wilson was carried to the stage in a convoy of scooters.
After an homage to musician David Bowie and to the successes of British fashion across the years, Russell Brand performed a rendition of The Beatles's hit I Am The Walrus before Fatboy Slim hit the stage with Jessie J and Tinie Tempah.
The centrepiece of the evening came when a fleet of black cabs drove into the centre of the arena and the Spice Girls emerged. All five original members - Mel B, Mel C, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham - wowed the crowd.
As soon as the iconic girl band had finished Liam Gallagher belted out a version of Oasis classic Wonderwall with new band Beady Eye.
Rock legend Brian May played one of his iconic guitar solos before turning the tempo up when he performed Queen's We Will Rock You with Jessie J.

Meanwhile, UK Sport's leader hailed Britain's record-breaking Olympic medal haul as 'incredible' after the team finished in third place in the table.
Great Britain finished ahead of Russia for the first time ever with a total of 65 medals, including 29 golds, the best result since 1908.

There was a tribute to British fashion across the years

Emeli Sande opened the show before the athletes came out

A British military marching band performed at the beginning of the ceremony

Getting it going: One Direction hit the stage to start the party

UK Sport chair Sue Campbell said: 'For a nation the size of Great Britain to finish in third place at the Olympic games is incredible and without doubt one of the greatest sporting achievements in this country's history.
'We now have an elite sport system that is the envy of the world and I firmly believe it will continue to deliver at the highest level for many years to come thanks to the support of National Lottery and Government funding, which I am delighted to say is now secured for the Rio cycle.'
IOC president Jacques Rogge said: 'London was a dream for a sports lover, and I had stressed since the awarding of the Games in Singapore that we need home gold medals and that is so important for the mood of the general public.
'We had to wait two days but then it accelerated it has been fantastic.
'We are saying exactly the same for our Brazilian friends for Rio.'

Fans got in the mood ahead of the ceremony

Burning bright: The Olympic flame was still lit as the Spice Girls rehearsed their routine

Transformed: The stadium looked completely different to when athletes competed on it throughout the Games

Transformed: The stadium looked completely different to when athletes competed on it throughout the Games

The Olympic rings were on display above the well lit arena