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'EMBARRASSING'

Chelsea vs Man City: Wembley looks a sorry sight with thousands of empty seats for Community Shield

First chance of silverware fails to excite fans as large sections of the stadium remain empty for season curtain-raiser

IT SEEMS the annual season curtain-raiser did not excite everyone as football followers picked up on the large number of empty seats at Wembley.

Sunday saw 2018 FA Cup winners Chelsea and reigning Premier League champions Man City go head-to-head for the FA Community Shield.

 There were plenty of empty red seats on display in the Community Shield match
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There were plenty of empty red seats on display in the Community Shield matchCredit: Getty Images - Getty

But as the two teams lined up, another less welcome sight was the scores of empty seats at the home of English football.

The stadium can accommodate an impressive 90,000 at full capacity but Sunday’s attendance was short of that at 72,724.

In comparison, May's FA Cup final which saw Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0, saw 87,647 pack into the stadium.

Perhaps people had other plans for Sunday's sunny weather, or rather they were saving themselves for the start of the Premier League next weekend...

Manchester City lift the Community shield after beating Chelsea 2-0

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What is Maurizio Sarri doing on bench- Chain-smoking Chelsea boss appears to put something to his lips during drinks break
 Chelsea and Man City fans got an early chance to visit Wembley - but not everyone took it
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Chelsea and Man City fans got an early chance to visit Wembley - but not everyone took itCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Aguero pounced to open the scoring for Man City on 13 minutes
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Aguero pounced to open the scoring for Man City on 13 minutesCredit: PA:Press Association

Meanwhile on the pitch it was Man City who drew first blood as Sergio Aguero thumped home after just 13 minutes.

He then doubled the lead just short of the hour mark with a low finish.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was aiming to win his first trophy with his new club while City were looking to win the Community Shield for the first time since 2012.

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