Dean Henderson etched his name into Crystal Palace history with two decisive penalty saves as the Eagles edged Liverpool 3-2 in a shootout after a gripping 2-2 draw in the Community Shield at Wembley.
Liverpool’s summer signing Hugo Ekitike marked his debut with a fourth-minute opener, finishing clinically from a Florian Wirtz assist. Palace responded through Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaïla Sarr. The parity didn’t last long as Jeremie Frimpong’s chipped effort restored Liverpool’s lead just four minutes later.
Wembley’s energy was charged, not just with football fever but also with emotion. In the 20th minute, Liverpool fans paid tribute to Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away last month. The roar that followed Frimpong’s goal seemed almost cathartic for the Reds faithful.
But Palace refused to fade. Henderson’s composure and Sarr’s persistence kept them alive. When Sarr pounced on a defensive lapse in the 77th minute to slot home off the post, the red half of Wembley fell silent while Palace fans erupted in belief.
Liverpool had chances to seal it but Ekitike missed a close-range header and skied another shot. Palace pressed for a late winner, with Justin Devenny nearly snatching it in stoppage time. Extra time wasn’t an option, so it all came down to the lottery of penalties.
The shootout drama unfolded quickly. Mohamed Salah blazed over, Henderson denied Alexis Mac Allister, and Mateta converted for Palace. Harvey Elliott was the next to fall victim to Henderson’s gloves, leaving Devenny, just minutes into his appearance, with the chance to seal history. He blasted past Alisson without hesitation, sparking scenes of pure jubilation in the Palace end.
This win makes Palace the first debutant to win the Community Shield in 50 years, adding to their FA Cup triumph in May. For a club that had never lifted a major trophy until this year, back-to-back Wembley victories signal a new era.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will rue missed opportunities and defensive lapses. Arne Slot’s side showed flashes of brilliance, but the cohesion between their expensive new signings is still a work in progress.
For Palace, though, this was about belief, resilience, and seizing their moment under the arch once again. Henderson stood tall, Devenny delivered, and the Eagles soared into the season with silverware in hand.
