Crystal Palace are making Wembley their playground. The Eagles clinched the Community Shield after a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout win over Liverpool, following a thrilling 2-2 draw in normal time. Dean Henderson, the hero of last season’s FA Cup triumph, once again rose to the occasion.
Embed from Getty ImagesHenderson’s Wembley Magic Continues
Under the arch, big moments need big players — and Henderson seems to thrive in that spotlight. The Palace keeper denied Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott in the shootout, while Mohamed Salah blazed Liverpool’s first penalty over the bar. Substitute Justin Devenny then stepped up with ice in his veins, smashing home the winning spot-kick.
“I love it. I love the big moments, I love the pressure,” Henderson told ITV afterwards — and it’s hard to argue with him. This was his second trophy-deciding penalty heroics in just a few months.
Embed from Getty ImagesA Back-and-Forth Thriller
The match started at a frantic pace. New Liverpool signing Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring inside four minutes after linking up with record signing Florian Wirtz. Palace struck back quickly, with Jean-Philippe Mateta converting from the spot after Virgil van Dijk brought down Ismaila Sarr.
Jeremie Frimpong restored Liverpool’s lead in the 20th minute — his intended cross looping in off the post — as fans marked the memory of the late Diogo Jota by applauding in the 20th minute.
But Crystal Palace were far from done. Eberechi Eze went close before Sarr coolly slotted past Alisson with 13 minutes to play, sending the game to penalties.
Three in a Row at Wembley
This victory marks Crystal Palace’s third consecutive Wembley triumph, cementing their growing reputation as cup specialists. For Henderson, it’s another day to remember; for Palace fans, it’s proof their team is no longer content with just surviving in the Premier League — they’re here to win silverware.
Wembley might just be turning red and blue.
