London, Aug 11: Crystal Palace pulled off another Wembley upset by beating Premier League champion Liverpool to lift the Community Shield.
After stunning Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May, Palace defied the odds again – winning a penalty shootout 3-2 after the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
“It’s incredible. We turned up today – they’re the favorites, they’ve got unbelievable players, they’re a great team,” Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson said. “Two trophies in three months. That’s incredible. Let’s find the next bit of history.” Henderson saved two penalties in the shootout.
“I love the big moments. I love that pressure moment,” he said.Mohamed Salah also fired over with Liverpool’s first spot kick and Palace substitute Justin Devenny converted the winning penalty by blasting high into the corner to spark huge celebrations.Victory in the FA Cup had seen Palace win the first major trophy in its history and it quickly followed that up with the Community Shield in the curtain-raising game for the new season in England’s top flight.
Oliver Glasner’s team twice had to come from behind after new Liverpool signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong were both on the score sheet. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr struck for Palace.
“It was a big performance. We were almost the same level as Liverpool. I’m really proud of the team and how they played,” said Palace coach Glasner.
Ekitike – a $93.5 million signing from Eintracht Frankfurt – made a quick impression with his first goal for Liverpool coming after four minutes. The France forward showed a deft touch before turning on the edge of the box and sweeping a low shot into the far corner.Palace was back on level terms in the 17th from the penalty spot.Sarr was fouled by Virgil van Dijk, and Mateta sent Liverpool keeper Alisson the wrong way with his spot kick.Frimpong restored Liverpool’s lead courtesy of a seemingly freak goal in the 21st.Carrying the ball on the right, the defender looked to lift a cross to the far post and watched as the ball spun wildly over the head of Henderson and over the line.
Sarr leveled the game again in the 77th with a powerful finish from close range that beat Alisson via the inside of the post. It was his fourth goal in seven games against Liverpool.
With no extra time, the game went straight to penalties and Salah got Liverpool off to the worst start by lifting his effort high over the bar. Henderson then saved further spot kicks from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott. (AP)
