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Crystal Palace Stun Liverpool to Claim the Community Shield

Crystal Palace, the FA Cup holders, came from behind twice against Premier League champions Liverpool before prevailing 3-2 on penalties to win the Community Shield.

Liverpool took the lead twice in regular time through their new signings — French forward Hugo Ekitike (4′) and Dutch full-back Jeremie Frimpong (21′) — but Palace equalised on both occasions via French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta (17′) and Senegalese winger Ismaïla Sarr (77′).

Liverpool fielded four summer signings — Ekitike, full-backs Frimpong and Hungarian Milos Kerkez, as well as German playmaker Florian Wirtz, who was named man of the match. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch missed the game after his wife gave birth on Saturday, while Argentine Alexis Mac Allister came on for the final 20 minutes and missed one of the penalties.

Palace, on the other hand, played with the same line-up that beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, led by French forward Mateta, winger Eberechi Eze, and centre-back and captain Marc Guéhi.

Before kick-off, Liverpool legend Ian Rush and Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish laid two wreaths on the side of the pitch in memory of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last month. A minute’s silence was then observed by the crowd.

Match Highlights

Liverpool made a quick start, opening the scoring in the fourth minute when Wirtz slipped the ball to Ekitike on the edge of the area, and the latter drove forward before slotting a low shot into the far corner past goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Palace responded with a one-on-one chance for Mateta against Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who made the save. Moments later, the London side were awarded a penalty after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk fouled Sarr in the box. Mateta stepped up and calmly sent Alisson the wrong way, netting the equaliser in the 17th minute — his first goal against the Reds.

Palace’s joy was short-lived, as just four minutes later Frimpong restored Liverpool’s lead. Attempting to send in a cross from the right flank, he caught Henderson off guard, and the ball sailed into the net.

Palace had to wait until the second half to equalise again, with Sarr breaking the offside trap in the 77th minute to latch onto a superb through ball from Adam Wharton. His shot struck the post but rebounded into the net.

Luck was on Palace’s side in the shootout, despite two of their players missing. Youngster Justin Devine sealed the win by smashing the decisive kick with his left foot into the roof of the net.

Palace goalkeeper Henderson was the undisputed star, especially in the penalty shootout, saving spot-kicks from Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, while Mohamed Salah blazed his effort over the bar. Henderson had also been the hero in the FA Cup final, saving a penalty from Egyptian striker Omar Marmoush before Eze scored the winner for Palace.

After the match, Palace’s Austrian manager Oliver Glasner — who received widespread praise in the English and European media — said: “We were on the same level as Liverpool and delivered a big performance. I’m proud of the team.”

Liverpool’s Dutch coach Arne Slot commented: “We created many chances in the match, but we also allowed Palace many as well. If you want to compete for the Premier League title, you can’t give the opposition those kinds of opportunities.”

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