Crystal Palace lifted the Community Shield for the first time in their history, coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Liverpool before edging a 3-2 victory on penalties at Wembley on Sunday, August 10.
Liverpool’s record summer signings, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, found the net for the Premier League champions. But Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty and Ismaila Sarr’s late strike forced a shootout, where Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson denied Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, and Mohamed Salah blazed over. Justin Devenny’s winning spot-kick sealed another landmark for Palace, just months after their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City
The match carried added poignancy for Liverpool following the July death of forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident. Wreaths were laid by Reds legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish before kick-off, while Liverpool fans displayed banners in tribute. A minute’s silence was cut short due to crowd disturbances.
Ekitike, a £69 million signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, opened the scoring in the fourth minute from Florian Wirtz’s pass. Mateta levelled from the spot after Sarr was fouled by Virgil van Dijk. Frimpong restored Liverpool’s lead with a looping cross that caught Henderson off guard, but Sarr struck again from Adam Wharton’s through ball to set up the decisive shootout.
Henderson’s heroics and Palace’s composure under pressure crowned a historic day for the South London club, further cementing their rise in English football.
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