Crystal Palace claimed their second major trophy in three months, defeating Premier League champions Liverpool 3–2 on penalties after a thrilling 2–2 draw at Wembley Stadium. The FA Cup winners showcased resilience and tactical discipline, twice coming from behind before goalkeeper Dean Henderson and substitute Justin Devenny sealed the win in dramatic fashion.
Match Summary: Palace vs Liverpool – August 10, 2025
🔥 First Half Fireworks
- 4′ — Hugo Ekitike Opens the Scoring Liverpool’s £69M signing Hugo Ekitike made an instant impact, curling a low shot into the bottom corner after a slick one-two with Florian Wirtz.
- 17′ — Mateta Equalizes from the Spot Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaila Sarr in the box, and Jean-Philippe Mateta calmly converted the penalty to level the score.
- 21′ — Frimpong’s Fortunate Finish Jeremie Frimpong’s cross-turned-shot looped over Henderson and into the net, restoring Liverpool’s lead in bizarre fashion.
⚡ Second Half Drama
- 77′ — Sarr Strikes Again After sustained pressure, Ismaila Sarr latched onto Adam Wharton’s through ball and slotted home off the post to make it 2–2.
- Controversy Palace were denied a late penalty despite replays showing Alexis Mac Allister’s handball in the box.
Penalty Shootout Breakdown
| Player | Outcome |
| Mohamed Salah (LIV) | ❌ Missed (over) |
| Mateta (PAL) | ✅ Scored |
| Mac Allister (LIV) | ❌ Saved |
| Sarr (PAL) | ✅ Scored |
| Eze (PAL) | ❌ Saved |
| Gakpo (LIV) | ✅ Scored |
| Sosa (PAL) | ❌ Hit crossbar |
| Szoboszlai (LIV) | ✅ Scored |
| Devenny (PAL) | ✅ Scored (winner) |
Dean Henderson was the hero, saving two penalties and watching Salah sky his effort. Justin Devenny, just 21, stepped up with confidence to blast the winning penalty into the top corner.
Tactical Insights: Palace’s Blueprint for Big Games
Manager Oliver Glasner once again proved his tactical acumen:
- Compact Midfield: Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada disrupted Liverpool’s rhythm and launched counters.
- Wing Threats: Sarr and Eze exploited Liverpool’s aggressive full-back positioning.
- Defensive Discipline: Marc Guehi and Chris Richards held firm under pressure, with Henderson commanding from the back.
Palace’s ability to absorb pressure and strike on the counter mirrors their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City — a growing reputation for upsetting elite sides.
Liverpool’s Defensive Concerns
Despite their attacking flair, Arne Slot’s side showed vulnerability:
- Van Dijk’s Errors: Conceded a penalty and was caught out for Sarr’s second goal.
- Lack of Balance: Aggressive man-marking left gaps exploited by Palace’s pace.
Slot acknowledged post-match: “We are creating more, but we are conceding more — and if you want to win the league, you can’t concede chances first but also goals.”
What’s Next: Premier League Kickoff
- Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Friday, August 15 A chance for the Reds to bounce back and test their new attacking setup.
- Crystal Palace vs Chelsea – Sunday, August 17 Another big test for Glasner’s men, who will look to continue their giant-killing form.
Historical Note
No team has won the Premier League after lifting the Community Shield since Manchester City in 2018–19 — and Palace’s win continues that trend.
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