Manchester United clinched a 3-1 win on Sunday over Chelsea to win the Community Shield, the traditional season curtain- raiser for the Premier League, dpa reported.
Goals from Antonio Valencia, Javier Hernandez put United in control and while Salomon Kalou pulled one back for Chelsea late on, there was still time for Dimitar Berbatov to seal victory for United.
The Community Shield is traditionally played between the league champions and the FA Cup winners, but with Chelsea having won the double, United filled the role as runners-up in the league.
The match sometimes has the air of a pre-season friendly but an early crunching tackle by Paul Scholes, who was awarded the man of the match award, set the tone for a competitive affair.
A brilliant pass from Wayne Rooney set up Valencia for an easy finish on 41 minutes to put United ahead and new signing Javier Hernandez fired in the second on 76 minutes, the ball cannoning off his face and into the net.
Chelsea substitute Daniel Sturridge should have scored after a great pass from Michael Essien but Kalou set up a grandstand finish with a goal from six metres out.
A couple of half-chances fell Chelsea's way but United cleared their lines and Berbatov lofted a brilliant third in time added on to seal the victory.
"It's always nice to win this game," said Ryan Giggs, a late substitute for United.
"I think we controlled the majority of the game. Chelsea are a good side and had a lot of possession but didn't really hurt us. They had a few half-chances at the end but I think we deserved it.
"I don't think it ever has a bearing on the season. It's nice to win but the real thing starts next week."