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Drogba double gives Chelsea Shield

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Drogba steps around a prone Lehmann before shooting for Chelsea's second goal.

CARDIFF, Wales -- Two well-taken goals from Didier Drogba gave English champions Chelsea a morale-boosting 2-1 win over FA Cup holders Arsenal in the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday.

The Ivory Coast striker opened the scoring at the Millennium Stadium from close range in the eighth minute before adding the second with a superb solo effort on 58 minutes.

Young Spanish midfielder Francesc Fabregas pulled one back for the Gunners seven minutes later but Chelsea held on.

It was the third time Chelsea had won English football's traditional curtain-raiser and a first victory over their London rivals in a domestic match since November 1998.

"The first goal was great, the power he showed in the contact," said Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho of Drogba's opener.

"The second one, he was fast and powerful going forward. I think another player would dive for a penalty. He didn't, he kept fighting for the ball and scored.

"Of course it's better to win than lose. We got a trophy and we go home with a smile on our faces. We got the result and I think we were the best team, we deserved to win."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was refusing to be downcast about the defeat.

"We were not completely 100 percent sharp to finish our combinations but overall I'm very happy because we were consistent, the technical quality was good and the spirit was strong.

"It was a good preparation for us for the championship. I feel it was a very even game and Chelsea were dangerous on the long balls, we tried more to play our usual game.

"The result is not too important. We won four Community Shields and nobody ever counted it was a trophy. Don't be too worried."

Long ball

Mourinho's men took just seven minutes to take up where they left off last season, with a long ball from Spanish debutant Asier del Horno collected by Drogba on his chest before hooking the ball home.

New Arsenal captain Thierry Henry tested Chelsea keeper Petr Cech and set up Kolo Toure for a powerful shot which was brilliantly pushed away by the Czech international.

Chelsea were content to hit Arsenal on the counter attack and this paid off early in the second half as Frank Lampard's pass is flicked on by Eidur Gudjohnsen, which again finds Drogba in the clear.

Philip Senderos got back to cover, but neither he nor keeper Jens Lehmann can dispossess the Chelsea striker who recovers quicker, holds of Lauren before shooting home past Lehmann and Ashley Cole on the line for his second.

Shield holders Arsenal deservedly pulled one back after 65 minutes as Fredrik Ljungberg's cut-back across the Chelsea six-yard box found its way through to Fabregas, who capitalised on hesitation by the defenders to net from close range.

Shaun Wright-Phillips came on to make his Chelsea debut soon afterwards but make little impact as Arsenal pressed for an equalizer.

Arsenal substitutes Alexander Hleb, also making his debut, and Robin van Persie combined to give the Dutchman a shooting chance from 18 meters, but his low drive went just wide.

In injury time, Arsenal substitute Gilberto Silva sent the ball over the bar, while Toure nearly lost his boot clearing a Joe Cole attempt for Chelsea.

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