FA Cup holders Crystal Palace claimed their second major trophy in three months after defeating Premier League champions Liverpool 3-2 on penalties following a pulsating 2-2 draw in the Community Shield.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was the Eagles’ hero, saving from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, while Mohamed Salah blazed his effort over the bar. That left 21-year-old Justin Devenny, introduced in stoppage time, to smash home the decisive spot-kick past Alisson and seal another historic moment for Palace.
It is the first time in 50 years that a debutant in the fixture has lifted the Shield, following Derby County’s success in 1975. Palace, who ended their long wait for silverware in May 2025 with FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, have now lifted two trophies at Wembley in the same calendar year.
A Game of Early Drama and Late Nerve
Under glorious sunshine, the game burst into life in the fourth minute when Liverpool’s £116m record signing Florian Wirtz slipped a pass to fellow newcomer Hugo Ekitike, who turned and fired low past Henderson.
Palace responded in the 17th minute as Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaila Sarr.
But Liverpool regained the lead before half-time through another summer recruit, Jeremie Frimpong, whose chipped delivery from the right looped off the far post and in. The goal came moments after the 20th-minute tribute to Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last month, alongside his brother Andre Silva.
Ekitike twice squandered chances to extend Liverpool’s advantage after the restart, and Palace punished them on the counter as Sarr raced clear and finished clinically off the post for 2-2 after being set up by a brilliant Adam Wharton pass.
Ismaila Sarr scored Crystal Palace’s second equaliser in an absorbing encounter
Henderson’s Big Moment
Palace pressed for a winner and had a penalty shout waved away for handball against Mac Allister, while Devenny went close with a stoppage-time strike.
In the shootout, Henderson — echoing his FA Cup heroics against Omar Marmoush — made two crucial saves, and when Salah sent his effort high, the stage was set for Devenny to clinch glory.
Liverpool’s Emotional Afternoon
The game carried extra weight for Liverpool, their first competitive fixture since the deaths of Jota and Silva. Wreaths were laid before kick-off, and fans observed an emotional minute’s silence. Both Liverpool goals carried echoes of Jota’s influence from the left wing, but despite a promising debut for several new signings, they fell short of claiming a 17th Shield.
What’s Next?
Palace now turn their attention to Monday’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling on their appeal against Europa League demotion.
Manager Oliver Glasner kept faith with his FA Cup final XI and will hope the same resilience takes them into Europe.
For Liverpool, the focus shifts to opening their premier league title defence, with manager Arne Slot keen to fine-tune his new-look attack before the League kick-off.