FA Community Shield: Crystal Palace stun Liverpool to clinch first ever trophy as they edge PL winners on penalties
10th August 2025
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was the hero for Crystal Palace, saving penalties from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott before Mohamed Salah fired over, as the Eagles claimed a dramatic shootout win over Liverpool at Wembley.
Stoppage-time substitute Justin Devenny smashed home the decisive spot-kick to seal Palace’s second major trophy in months, having lifted the FA Cup earlier this year. They also became the first debutants to win the Community Shield in 50 years, since Derby County in 1975.
The game began in thrilling fashion, with Liverpool’s £116m record signing Florian Wirtz setting up Hugo Ekitike to score inside four minutes. Palace hit back when Jean-Philippe Mateta converted from the spot after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaila Sarr.
Jeremie Frimpong restored Liverpool’s lead with a clever chip before Palace equalised again, Sarr firing in off the post after being played onside.
Liverpool’s summer signings impressed in flashes, but missed chances — notably Ekitike’s header wide early in the second half — proved costly. Palace rode their luck after a VAR check denied them a penalty for handball, before Devenny came close to snatching a late winner in open play.
In the shootout, Henderson repeated his FA Cup final heroics, denying two Reds before Devenny completed the upset.
In an iconic monumental stunt, Palace goalkeeper, Dean Henderson pays tribute to his hat as he wore it to save two crucial penalties in the shootout.
Palace now await Monday’s Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling on their Europa League participation, but for now, Wembley glory is theirs again.