Crystal Palace have won the Community Shield for the first time ever after being Premier League champions Liverpool in a penalty shootout.
Liverpool’s new signing Hugo Ekitike scored on his competitive debut to fire Arne Slot’s side ahead after just four minutes, with fellow debutant Florian Wirtz providing the assist.
Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled things up from the penalty spot for the FA Cup winners, sending Alisson Becker the wrong way after Virgil van Dijk gave away a spot-kick for a clumsy foul on Ismaila Sarr.
Jeremie Frimpong, another new recruit, restored Liverpool’s lead in the first half with a freakish goal as his cross spinned over Dean Henderson into the far post.
Sarr scored the only goal of the second half after a brilliant ball from Adam Wharton to make it 2-2 and force a penalty shootout – with Henderson making saves and Justin Devenny netting the winning spot-kick.
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Here’s how it all unfolded…
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Glasner Hails Defeat over winning penalty
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, speaking to TNT Sports, has singled out Justin Devenny for praise after the the 21-year-old Northern Ireland international netted the winning penalty.
‘Justin came to me and said, ‘I’ll take it, I’ll take the last one’ – I like him having this confidence and the determination to win us the game, he will play many minutes for us this season!’ Glasner said.
Slot left concerned over Liverpool’s defence
Speaking after the match, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot told TNT Sports: ‘We conceded two goals (today) which we (also) did against (Athletic Club). And we conceded a couple more against Milan. That is something we need to do better.
‘Last season, it was about keeping a clean sheet and attack as much as we could, and then create a few chances. Now we are able to create more.
‘But we are conceding more at the moment as well. And if you want to compete to win the league, one of the main things is not conceding chances, let alone goals. I don’t think we conceded a lot today but too much to win the game.’
Title favourites Liverpool not unstoppable
Analysis from Metro’s Deputy Sports Editor Louis Sealey…
Despite Manchester City’s recent success under Pep Guardiola, retaining the Premier League is a notoriously difficult task.
The best team in the country has got even stronger this summer but Crystal Palace’s shock victory will give the chasing pack hope of dethroning Liverpool.
Palace scored twice and could have had more against a shaky defence that could do with the addition of a new centre-back.
The Premier League Player of the Year, Mohamed Salah, was anonymous up until the moment he skied an awful penalty in the shootout.
Arne Slot will not be overly concerned but a few chinks in the armour show that while Liverpool are worthy title favourites, they are not unstoppable.
Liverpool new boy impresses
Analysis from Metro’s Deputy Sports Editor Louis Sealey…
A well-taken goal four minutes into his first competitive match represented the perfect start to Hugo Ekitike’s Liverpool career.
Other clubs baulked at Eintracht Frankfurt’s £79m valuation but Liverpool believe he is the next big thing and will have been encouraged by his performance at Wembley.
Ekitike slotted home a lovely goal, held the ball up well and is already bonding with club-record signing Florian Wirtz.
Two missed chances showed he’s still raw but Ekitike already looks an upgrade on Saudi-bound Darwin Nunez and may even persuade Liverpool to cool their interest in Alexander Isak.
Palace need to back Glasner
Analysis from Metro’s Deputy Sports Editor Louis Sealey…
Having led the club to a first major trophy in the club’s history, Oliver Glasner deserved backing this summer.
Instead he has seen just two new signings arrive at Selhurst Park – one being a backup goalkeeper – and still faces a huge fight to keep his two most important players, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, at the club.
Glanser has even raised doubt over his future in south London, such is his frustration at the lack of backing.
Palace pushed the champions all the way at Wembley, showing again why they are one of the most popular teams in England, and can continue to punch above their weight this season.
Significant sales before the transfer deadline could all-but end Glanser’s project.
Salah registers disastrous performance
Mohamed Salah’s pass accuracy rate of 65 per cent was the lowest out of any outfield starter on the pitch at Wembley today…
The Liverpool superstar also missed his penalty in the shootout in what became a disastrous performance.
‘Henderson is a really top-class goalkeeper’
Former Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray told the BBC: ‘Dean Henderson wanted to be the number one at Manchester United.
‘He left them to go and be that at Crystal Palace and he is showing that he is a really top-class goalkeeper.’
Kirkland urges Liverpool to sign a defender
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has urged his old club to sign a new defender before the summer transfer window closes after Arne Slot’s side lost the Community Shield to Crystal Palace.
‘Palace are a very good team and the draw (in normal time) was probably fair,’ he told the BBC.
‘And it was the same for Liverpool really, we were exciting going forward but slightly weaker in defence.
‘I would love to see another defender come in. Wirtz, you can see how good he is. Ekitike started well and then tired later on.
‘It is disappointing to lose but they will be fully focused now on recovering and getting ready for Friday (against AFC Bournemouth).’
Crystal Palace lift the trophy!
Look at what it means to Crystal Palace! They were playing in the Community Shield for the first time today and have landed the trophy.
What a day to be a supporter of the south London club.
‘Remarkable moment in Crystal Palace history’
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, speaking to TNT Sports, said: ‘These emotions are fantastic. The manager said we’d get chances in the second half and we deserved to win that in the end.
‘The homework we did for the penalties was great, thank you to everyone behind the scenes. It’s incredible to beat Liverpool.
‘Coming here they were the favourites, they have unbelievable players and are a good team. But we’ve won two trophies in three months for this club and it’s a remarkable moment in our history.’
Reaction coming up!
Don’t go anywhere – as we’ll bring you all the best reaction to Crystal Palace’s historic Community Shield triumph!
CRYSTAL PALACE WIN COMMUNITY SHIELD!
NOW IT IS!! DEVENNY SCORES AND CRYSTAL PALACE WIN THE COMMUNITY SHIELD!
Szoboszlai Scores!
This isn’t over just yet!
Sosa hits the bar!!!
Oh my word!!! There’s a twist!!! Sosa could’ve won it for Palace but he’s hit the bar!
Henderson saves!
ANOTHER SAVE FOR HENDERSON! ELLIOTT DENIED! PALACE ARE ONE AWAY!
Sarr scores!
Cool as you like from Sarr! No mistake from the Palace man. The Eagles are still ahead in this shootout.
Spring to scores!
Gakpo scores the next one for Liverpool!
Alisson saves!
A lifeline for Liverpool!!! Eze’s penalty is saved by Alisson!!
Henderson saves!
MAC ALLISTER’S PENALTY IS SAVED BY HENDERSON! WOW!
Matta scores!
No mistake from Mateta! Advantage to Crystal Palace!
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