Leicester won the 2021 Community Shield 1-0 thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho's penalty in the 89th minute.100m Jack Grealish was the centre of attention on his Man City debut at 64 minutes. But it was Leicester's sub Iheanacho that made the difference. He forced Nathan Ake to make a mistake and won the spot-kick. Then he hurled home against his former team in front of Leicester fans, 84 Days after their FA Cup victory at the same venue.The performance of Leicester was impressive throughout. Harvey Barnes, who had been sidelined with a knee injury since February, made a comeback to competitive action. Zack Steffen kicked Jamie Vardy's shot onto the post at half-time.Man City also had their moments, with Riyad Maharez missing several chances against his old club, including an excellent counter-attack opportunity in the second period. However, the Premier League champions were defeated despite Grealish's appearance, in which he displayed glimpses of his thrilling dribbling abilities.FA Cup winners have won this prize six times in seven against Premier League winners. While it is unlikely that it will have any significant impact on the race for the title, it is clear that Pep Guardiola's team still has work to do before they face Tottenham on Super Sunday.However, Leicester go into the season curtain-raiser against Wolves with confidence following another Wembley victory.Player ratings Leicester: Schmeichel (7), Bertrand (6), Soyuncu (7), Amartey (6), Pereira (7), Barnes (8), Maddison (7), Ndidi (7), Perez (6), Tielemans (6), Vardy (6).Subs: Iheanacho(8), Soumare(7), Daka(6), Albrighton(6), Thomas(6), DewsburyHall(6)Man City: Steffen (7), Mendy (5), Dias (7), Ake (5), Cancelo (6), Fernandinho (6), Palmer (6), Gundogan (6), Edozie (6), Torres (6), Mahrez (5).Subs used: Rodri (6), Knight (6), Bernardo Silva (6), Grealish (6)Harvey Barnes (Leicester), Man of the MatchHow Leicester won the Community Shield...Image: After Kelechi Iheanacho's late penalty win, the Community Shield was won by Leicester players.Wembley was not full, but there was plenty of excitement early on. Kasper Schmeichel blocked a shot from Barnes, while Kasper Schmeichel and, later, the less-connivingly Caglar Smyuncu diverted the ball over the Leicester bar. Vardy and Riyad tried their luck from far.On 24 minutes, Cole Palmer, a young Man City midfielder, was robbed by Wilfred Ndidi on the left flank. This set up a move that saw Barnes blocked once more and Vardy fire directly at Steffen. However, the Foxes breathed a sigh at their relief moments later when Sam Edozie, 18, sliced wide at the other end.Team news Wesley Fofana was out of action, so Daniel Amartey and Ryan Bertrand started in defence. Harvey Barnes supported Jamie Vardy's long-awaited return.Jack Grealish was the first to play on Man City's bench. He started Cole Palmer and Samuel Edozie. Jack Steffen was then named in goal, and Nathan Ake was paired with Ruben Dias in defense.The Foxes had 50% of their attacks coming down the left flank. They looked at the impressive Barnes repeatedly, and Ake had the foresight to stop some combination play between Vardy and the winger on the half-hour.It was this pair that almost created the opening at half-time. Barnes selected Vardy at the back end and Vardy hooked his effort back across goal. Steffen was able, however, to clip the ball onto the woodwork with a trailing foot.Image: Harvey Barnes and Riyad Maharez fight for possession at WembleyMan City was only inches away from Man City immediately after the restart. Edozie's cross shot curling just past Schmeichel's farpost forced Ruben Dias to his third block of afternoon. Despite Vardy forcing Ruben into his third block, Guardiola's side was on the front foot once again, as Mahrez scored a free kick over and Ilkay Gundogan drove high.They should have been in front after Mahrez was sent racing to the goal on the counter-attack. However, much to the delight and surprise of his ex-Leicester fans, he was caught by Ndidi and hounded before scoring.Image: Jack Grealish in Man CitySeven minutes later, Man City fans were finally able to enjoy the moment they had been waiting for when their new record signing Grealish was released into the action. The England player, playing in his usual left-sided forward role tried to make an impact immediately, twice dribbling at Leicester's defence before being crowded out.Both sides made a flurry in the aftermath, including the introductions of Patson Daka from Leicester and Boubakary Sumare, who impressed with their skill and strength as midfielders - and Bernardo Silva from Man City, who reports suggest could be leaving the club this summer.It was almost the perfect beginning for Daka, who had just been beaten by Steffen to a through ball. But it was the familiar sub Iheanacho, who muscled Ake off the ball before hitting the deck when the Dutchman made a mistake to trip him up.The spot-kick was scored by the striker and City suffered a crushing defeat in the Premier League's early stages last season. Foxes saw out the last moments of the game to add silverware to their collection.Managers' commentsBrendan Rodgers is Leicester manager. "Both teams come here on merit. It's at the end of a preseason when players are still looking to get fit physically, but as you've seen it over the years, it's even more so become an iconic trophy. You want to win it if you're here and that's what we tried to instill to the club and the team: that every game should be won. They showed great spirit and quality, and finally got the winning goal."Barnes is a great talent. He is a great talent and I look forward to this season. It was a big blow to him when he was out. It was a great one-on-one. Although he isn't quite as fit as he should be, he is an essential player for us."Fofana will have his operation Monday, and he won’t play until 2022. We'll need to evaluate that in the next six-months. It is a terrible thing for us. An incredible talent. He's in great spirits. After his surgery, he will be back on the training field on Thursday and Friday next week to begin his rehabilitation. It's so disappointing that the Premier League doesn't have such talent. We are very disappointed. We were surprised to see that there was more damage around his medial ligament than we expected. It was very significant damage, according to the scan.Pep Guardiola, Man City manager: I would have loved the win. We are proud of Leicester's Community Shield win. Our performance was outstanding, especially at this stage of the season. The second half was particularly impressive. It was a well-played game. We had our chances, they had their chances and we won the second one."Tomorrow players will arrive. Many of our players have only attended three training sessions. We do our best to be competitive every day and every month. We will do our best, but we know that we won't be at our best. Last season, Wolves lost 2-5 to Leicester at home."We are aware that we won't be at our best. Next Sunday, the players will be even better. We want to score as many points before the international break, and I believe that week by week we will do better. Based on what I saw today, I feel extremely confident about the season."It was good [cameo Grealish]. It was really good. He was very aggressive against the backs of his full teammates. He will learn to get to know his friends and will eventually find his best.Opta statsAfter being beaten in 12 games against Manchester City in league competition, Leicester won against Manchester City their first game outside of league competition.The FA Cup winners won the Community Shield in six out of seven previous campaigns. This excludes 2019 when Manchester City was double winners. Man City's 2018 win over Chelsea was the only exception.Manchester City has lost three of its last four matches at Wembley Stadium, (W1), the same number as their 15 previous games (W9 D3).After losing three matches consecutively at Wembley Stadium, Leicester City won three consecutive matches there without conceding a goal.Manchester City has lost four of the six last games in all competitions (W2) and as many losses as they have suffered in 53 previous matches (W43 D6L4).Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester's player, became the first to score a penalty during a Community Shield final (except shootouts), since Gary McAllister of Liverpool vs Manchester United 2001.Kelechi Iheanacho, who was playing in his ninth match against his former team, scored his first goal against Manchester City. It was his sixth attempt to score against the Citizens.Samuel Edozie (18y and 191d) & Ben Knight (19y and 54d) were the 17th & 18th teenagers respectively to receive their Manchester City debuts from Pep Guardiola.What's next?Tottenham HotspurSunday, 15 August in ManchesterThe Premier League season in Leicester begins Saturday at 3pm with Wolves at home. Manchester City will face Tottenham next Sunday in the Premier League title defense. Live on Sky Sports at 3.30pm, kick-off 4.30pm.
