Crystal Palace win Community Shield after penalty shootout against Liverpool

LONDON: Crystal Palace won their first-ever Community Shield by beating Liverpool in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium.

Afder a 2-2 draw in normal time, Crystal Palace won 3-2 on penalties to add another trophy to their recent FA Cup success.

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The match started quickly with Liverpool taking an early lead. Their summer signing made a key pass that set up Hugo Ekitike to score in the fourth minute.

Crystal Palace responded with a penalty after Virgil van Dijik fouled Ismaila Sarr in the box. Jean-Philippe Mateta took the penalty and scored, marking it 1-1.

Liverpool regained the lead soon after. Right-back Jeremie Frimpong used skill to beat Crystal Palace defence and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.

The shot hit the post and went in, putting Liverpool 2-1 ahead of Crystal Palace, who fought back again before halftime. Ismaila Sarr scored from close range after a good pass to tie the match 2-2.

Neither team scored again in regular time, so the game went to penalties.

In the shootout, Crystal Palace’s goalkeeper Dean Henderson was the key figure. He saved penalties from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, usually reliable, missed his shot over the bar.

Justin Devennym a 21-year-old Crystal Palace substitute brought on late in the game, scored the winning penalty to give Crystal Palace the trophy.

The South London club became the first team in 50 years to win the Community Shield on their first appearance, a feat previously achieved by Derby County in 1975.

The club’s manager Oliver Glasner said his team’s preparation helped them in the shootout. The staff had studied Liverpool’s penalty takers closely, which helped Henderson save critical shots.

Despite conceding twice, Glasner said Crystal Palace kept believing and stuck to their plan throughout the match.

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The win gave fans and players a big boost as the Premier League season begins. The club also waits for a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport about their appeal against a European competition sanction, which may affect their future in continental tournaments.