English Premier League Headlines: Cole Palmer Ready for The Blues Comeback; Idrissa Gueye's Unsuccessful Red Card Appeal Lacks Explanation
First Story: Key Player Palmer Fit for Important Capital Derby with The Gunners
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the team's vital Premier League fixture against local opponents Arsenal.
The 23-year-old English international was unavailable due to a fractured toe suffered after an accidental occurrence.
“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca declared. “The whole team is delighted.”
This season, Palmer has featured in just four games in all tournaments, scoring twice.
Following his transfer from Manchester City in 2023, he has notched 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 appearances for Chelsea.
“He is our most valuable asset, we are delighted he is back, we need to provide him with time to be fully fit,” Maresca noted. “He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”
Second Story: The Toffees Get No Explanation for Rejected Idrissa Gueye Dismissal Appeal
Everton have failed in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for an on-field altercation with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's narrow win at Old Trafford.
The veteran Senegalese midfielder was sent off only 13 minutes into the game after striking Keane amid a dispute over a poor pass.
Gueye immediately apologized, and the pair appeared making up afterwards in a light-hearted social media post.
However, the appeal against the dismissal was rejected, and Gueye must complete a three-match ban, making Everton short-staffed for their next fixture against Newcastle.
“We challenged the decision and it was rejected,” coach David Moyes said. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
When asked about additional consequences from the incident, Moyes continued: “The matter was resolved instantly, it was done, that was it, we moved on rapidly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”
3. Wissa Practices with Newcastle for Initial Session since Setback
Newcastle United's recent acquisition Yoane Wissa has trained with his new teammates for the initial occasion since suffering a knee problem shortly after his arrival from Brentford in September.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on Friday but withheld a potential comeback timeline for the 29-year-old.
Newcastle signed the striker for £55m to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record sum.
Unfortunately, Wissa was hurt while on national team service before he could play his first game for his new club.
“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, so I was extremely satisfied with how he looked,” Howe said. “That’s his first time competitively with the group. Let’s see how he responds today.”
Howe continued: “We have a target return date, but it’s likely best if I keep that to myself. We aim to avoid letting people down. Of course, we want to utilize him as quickly.”
In other news, Kieran Trippier will be sidelined for a four-week period with a hamstring issue.
4. Liverpool' Poor Form ‘Irrelevant’, Insists Hammers Boss Nuno
West Ham United head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that Liverpool' dip in performance “doesn’t really matter” as his side prepares to face the struggling Premier League title holders.
Arne Slot's team has suffered six losses in seven recent league games, dropping out of the upper half of the standings.
Nevertheless, Nuno emphasized that there can be no taking it easy when the teams meet on Sunday at the London Stadium.
“Liverpool is a good team and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno commented. “We are preparing to play the title winners, players that are talented and able of doing fantastic things, so we have to get ready.
“The past of the outcomes before, the performance of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the match day. Aware that we are going to face a excellent team, that has players able of doing wonderful things, so we have to prepare thoroughly, to challenge.”
West Ham will have available Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their recovery from fitness issues.
5. Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against Brighton
Nottingham Forest's manager Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be ready for the team's home match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
The English international missed Thursday's Europa League match against the Swedish side due to a back injury.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche stated as he prepared to face Fabian Hürzeler's team, who have taken seven points from their past three matches.
“It’s similar to a sore back, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or twist funny. So we’re not expecting, at this stage anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s settling down already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be fine for the weekend.”
The defender was feeling his hamstring after the 3-0 European victory, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.
However, the full-back (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), the striker (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are expected to miss out.
6. Glasner: European Defeat Will Not Set Back Palace
The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner believes that the setback of Thursday's European loss to Strasbourg is a indication of how much progress the club has come in challenging on two fronts.
The FA Cup holders went ahead at Stade de la Meinau through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were equalized against by Liam Rosenior's team, who moved up to second in the group standings.
The Eagles now return to Premier League action with a at Selhurst Park match against Manchester United, and Glasner is confident his team can keep up their push for a top four spot.
“Similar to the late loss against Everton, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner said. “However, we have to accept it. The commitment was there but it is a game we could have avoided losing.”
Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would be absent for Sunday's match after he stayed behind to France, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the opening period against Strasbourg, is expected to be in the team selection.