Howard the hero for United

New Manchester United FC goalkeeper Tim Howard marked his competitive debut with a match-winning save as the English Premiership champions defeated FA Cup holders Arsenal FC in the traditional season curtain raiser.

Missed kicks
The FA Community Shield at Cardiff's Millennium stadium went to penalties after a 1-1 draw at 90 minutes and although Giovanni van Bronkhorst and Ruud van Nistelrooij both missed from the spot, it was Howard's diving save from Arsenal's fifth spot-kick, taken by Robert Pires, which proved crucial.

First-half goals
United had taken the lead in the 15th minute when Roy Keane flicked on a near-post corner and Mikaël Silvestre pounced with a downward header. Arsenal found a reply five minutes later after Patrick Vieira had been fouled 25 metres from goal. Thierry Henry's low curling 25-metre free-kick squeezed inside Howard's right-hand post.

Jeffers off
Howard was to have the last laugh, however, when his save sealed victory in a game soured by the sending off of Arsenal's Francis Jeffers for kicking out at Phil Neville.