Henderson the hero in Palace penalty win

LONDON — Crystal Palace pulled off another Wembley upset by beating Premier League champion Liverpool to lift the Community Shield on Sunday.

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 spotkick 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 a first major trophy in its history, and it has quickly followed that up with the Community Shield in the curtain-raiser for the new English Premier League season.

'A big performance'

Oliver Glasner's team twice had to come from behind, after goals from new Liverpool signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong. 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 just 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 got back on level terms with a 17th minute penalty.

Sarr was fouled by Virgil van Dijk, and Mateta sent Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker the wrong way with his spotkick.

Frimpong restored Liverpool's lead courtesy of a seemingly freak goal in the 21st minute.

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.

Straight to spotkicks

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 spotkicks from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott.

Mateta and Sarr struck for Palace but, with Eberechi Eze having his shot saved, and Borna Sosa hitting the bar, the shootout came down to the final penalty, which Devenny crashed home, sending Palace and its fans into rapturous celebration.

Last season's FA Cup celebrations turned into a court battle for Palace, after it was demoted from the second-tier Europa League to the third-tier UEFA Conference League. European soccer's governing body found Palace in breach of multi-club ownership regulations because of its ties to French club Lyon through American businessman John Textor.

Palace lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and a verdict is expected on Monday.

Big spenders

Fresh from winning a record-equaling 20th English league title last season, Liverpool has been active in the transfer market, spending $342 million on new signings Florian Wirtz, Ekitike, Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. All four started at Wembley, as Liverpool manager Arne Slot unveiled his new-look team.

Ekitike and Frimpong made scoring starts. Wirtz provided an assist, but wasted a good chance in the second half, firing over the bar.

"Because we are Liverpool, the pressure is always on. Even if we bring no players in, or we bring 10 players in, if you wear the Liverpool shirt, there is always pressure," Slot said.

Jota tribute disrupted

A tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a car accident last month, was marred by some fans, as players stood for a moment's silence before kickoff.

Loud voices could be heard in the crowd, which prompted some boos, before referee Chris Kavanagh blew his whistle to signal the end of the tribute.

Liverpool has retired Jota's No 20 jersey as a mark of respect, and fans applauded him as the clock struck 20 minutes during the game.

Agencies Via Xinhua