Community Shield

* Tim Howard (Manchester United, PL) vs. Arsenal, 1-1 (4-3 PKs).

Started: 90 minutes. Howard added another a memorable first to his European career -- his first match against a Premier League opponent ended with him the hero.

Howard stopped two penalty kicks, including the decisive attempt by Arsenal star Robert Pires, to help United win a preseason trophy and early bragging rights against its top rival in recent years.

The Community Shield match, played before each season, pits the previous season's Premier League champion against its FA Cup winner.

Arsenal forward Thierry Henry beat Howard on a free kick to tie the game five minutes after Mikael Silvestre had put the Red Devils ahead.

United played with a man advantage for the last 18 minutes after Francis Jeffers received a red card, but the game remained deadlocked after 90 minutes and went directly to a penalty kick tiebreaker.

Among United Manager Alex Ferguson's postgame comments:

''Tim's temperament is fine. It is never a problem. He enjoyed facing those penalty kicks. Up until then he didn't have a lot to do. He had one decision to make in the second half and he did the right thing. He had no real saves apart from those penalties.''

''He has settled in well. Young people just want to get on with life. He has plenty of enthusiasm and shows no fear. Tim's spring is great and so is his agility. I am very pleased with him.''

ENGLISH FIRST DIVISION, Opening Day

* Marcus Hahnemann (Reading, D1) at Ipswich, 1-1.

Started: 90 minutes. A road victory was within Reading's grasp until a 90th-minute penalty kick by Tommy Miller tied matters after Reading defender Graeme Murty brought down Jim Magilton in the box.

* Eddie Lewis (Preston North End, D1) vs. West Ham, 1-2.

Started: 90...

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