WEMBLEY, England — Javier Hernandez scored a clumsy debut goal as Manchester United beat Chelsea 3-1 in the Community Shield on Sunday.
The Mexico striker stumbled as he met Antonio Valencia's cross, kicking the ball onto his own face before it drifted into the net for United's second goal in the 76th minute.
"It's unbelievable to score and win this match," said Hernandez, a second-half substitute. "It's an unusual goal I scored, I kicked the ball to my face and it went in."
Amid the United celebrations at Wembley Stadium, the recruit from Chivas Guadalajara said he hoped winning the traditional curtain raiser to the English season is the prelude to his new team regaining the Premier League trophy from Chelsea, which also won the FA Cup here in May.
By the time the 22-year-old Hernandez came on at halftime to make his competitive debut, United was leading 1-0. Valencia scored four minutes before the break after racing onto Wayne Rooney's precise, low cross from the right flank.
After Hernandez's goal, Salomon Kalou pulled one back for Chelsea in the 83rd, meeting the rebound after Edwin van der Sar parried Daniel Sturridge's shot.
But Dimitar Berbatov rounded off the win in stoppage time by lobbing Chelsea goalkeeper Henrique Hilario.
"It was important for Dimitar to score, he's been under a lot of pressure," defender Nemanja Vidic said. "But I think he'll score more this season."
It is the third time in four years Manchester United has won the Community Shield. Last August, United was beaten in the same game by Chelsea, which went on to end the Manchester side's three-year grip on the Premier League trophy.
United was limited to winning the League Cup last season, but resisted a major overhaul of the squad. The only players to join the team were Hernandez and 20-year-old defender Chris Smalling from Fulham.