All-conquering Manchester City added the UEFA Super Cup to their list of trophies with a penalty shootout victory over Sevilla.
In a match played at the home of Olympiacos in steamy conditions in Athens, this was an intriguing contest that was never 100% comfortable for the English treble winners.
Sevilla, transformed under coach Jose Luis Mendilibar, certainly tested his Spanish counterpart’s team with dangerous breaks often involving the tall Youssef En-Nesyri.
And it was the bandaged Moroccan who gave the Andalusians the lead inside the first half hour when he lept to head in an Acuna cross.
It was an old-style goal reminiscent of great headers of the past and set City a task to break down the well-organised opposition.
Without their injured talisman Kevin De Bruyne they, at times, struggled with top scorer Erling Haaland often unable to make an impression.
That was despite having most of the possession.
And when they lost it Sevilla broke quickly & often set up En-Nesyri for chances that the excellent Ederson always managed to block.
After an hour of or so of this fascinating encounter City did get level when the emerging talent, Cole Palmer, reached a far post cross to loop a header over Bounou for 1-1.
Palmer preferred to Alvarez, was one of the standouts in the second period especially when going inside on his left foot.
It was he rather than the more predictable (though persistent) Grealish who caught the eye.
In contrast to the pre-game odds this game could have gone either way and that was surely the feeling when it reached the penalty shootout.
But, unlike in the Community Shield, City converted all their five spot-kicks to edge Sevilla 5-4 after the unfortunate Nemanja Gudelj crashed his effort off the bar and into the stand.
It was yet another trophy for the Cityzens and a fourth such title for Pep Guardiola after past wins with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Though City were definitely not at their best and though they did miss De Bruyne they might have another gem in Cole Palmer.
While Sevilla certainly surprised many with their performance.
report from Athens – John Bethell
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