Premier League News Roundup: Cole Palmer Set for The Blues Return; Idrissa Gueye's Failed Appeal Mystery
First Story: Top Player Palmer Available for High-Stakes Capital Clash with Arsenal
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is available for selection for the squad's important top-flight encounter against local opponents Arsenal.
The 23-year-old English international was unavailable due to a fractured toe suffered after an unfortunate incident.
“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca commented. “Everyone is happy.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has featured in just four games in every contest, scoring twice.
After joining from Manchester City in 2023, he has notched 45 scores and 29 helpers in 101 matches for the London club.
“He is our most valuable asset, we are pleased he is back, we need to give him time to be completely ready,” Maresca continued. “He has been brilliant historically and no doubt he is going to do exceptionally well for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Receive No Explanation for Rejected Idrissa Gueye Red Card Challenge
Everton were unsuccessful in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for an on-field altercation with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's single-goal triumph at Old Trafford.
The veteran Senegalese midfielder was dismissed only 13 minutes into the match after striking Keane amid a dispute over a misplaced pass.
The player immediately apologized, and the teammates were seen reconciled later in a mock online video.
However, the challenge against the red card was rejected, and Gueye must serve a three-game suspension, making Everton shorthanded for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle United.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach David Moyes stated. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about additional consequences from the incident, Moyes added: “It was over immediately, it was done, that was it, we progressed quite quickly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
3. Yoane Wissa Practices with The Magpies for Initial Session since Injury
Newcastle United's new acquisition Yoane Wissa has trained with his new teammates for the first time since suffering a knee injury shortly after his arrival from his former club in September.
Manager Eddie Howe announced the news on the end of the week but kept private a potential comeback timeline for the player.
Newcastle signed the striker for a significant fee to replace Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a record-breaking sum.
Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on national team service before he could make his debut 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 stated. “That’s his first time competitively with the group. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
Howe continued: “There is a planned comeback timeline, but it’s probably best if I keep that to myself. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Of course, we want to include him as quickly.”
Additionally, the defender will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring injury.
4. The Reds' Slump ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Insists Hammers Manager Nuno
The Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Liverpool' dip in performance “should not be a focus” as his side prepares to take on the ailing top-flight champions.
The Liverpool manager's team has been defeated in six of their previous seven league matches, dropping out of the upper half of the standings.
However, Nuno highlighted that there can be no complacency when the teams meet on Sunday at the London Stadium.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno commented. “We anticipate facing the league champions, players that are skilled and capable of doing good things, so we have to be ready.
“The past of the outcomes before, the form of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the day. Aware that we are going to face a excellent team, that has players capable of doing amazing feats, so we have to get ready, to challenge.”
West Ham will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their recovery from fitness issues.
Fifth Story: Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against The Seagulls
Nottingham Forest's boss Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the team's home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
The England international was absent for the midweek European game against the Swedish side due to a back injury.
“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche said as he got ready to face the Brighton manager's side, who have secured 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 rest awkwardly or twist funny. So we’re not anticipating, at this stage anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s easing already. So we’re confident that it’ll be okay for the weekend.”
The defender was feeling his hamstring muscle after the comfortable Europa League win, but Dyche indicated the player “will likely be available”.
However, Ola Aina (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and the defender (hip) are expected to miss out.
Sixth Story: Oliver Glasner: Conference League Defeat Won't Set Back Crystal Palace
The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner feels that the setback of midweek's Conference League loss to the French side is a indication of how far the club has come in competing on two fronts.
The FA Cup holders took the lead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were equalized against by Liam Rosenior's side, who moved up to runner-up in the table.
Crystal Palace now switch focus to domestic competition with a at Selhurst Park fixture against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his side can keep up their push for a Champions League place.
“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner remarked. “On the other side, we have to acknowledge it. The effort was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”
Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would not be available for Sunday's game after he stayed behind to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against the opponents, should be in the team selection.