English Premier League News Roundup: Cole Palmer Set for Chelsea Return; Gueye's Failed Red Card Appeal Mystery
First Story: Key Player Palmer Ready for Crucial London Derby with Arsenal
The Blues manager Enzo Maresca announced on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the team's important top-flight fixture against London opponents Arsenal.
The 23-year-old England international had been sidelined due to a fractured toe incurred after an accidental incident.
“He is ready to start and participate,” Maresca declared. “The whole team is delighted.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has been limited to four outings in all tournaments, scoring twice.
After joining from City in 2023, he has achieved 45 scores and 29 helpers in 101 appearances for Chelsea.
“He is our top performer, we are delighted he is back, we need to give him time to be fully fit,” Maresca continued. “He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do exceptionally well for this club in the future.”
Second Story: The Toffees Get No Explanation for Failed Gueye Dismissal Challenge
Everton were unsuccessful in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for a fight with teammate Michael Keane during the team's narrow win at Old Trafford.
The 36-year-old Senegalese midfielder was dismissed just 13 minutes into the match after striking Keane amid a dispute over a poor pass.
Gueye quickly said sorry, and the pair appeared reconciled afterwards in a light-hearted online post.
However, the challenge against the red card was denied, 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 revealed. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about additional consequences from the event, Moyes added: “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. Yoane Wissa Trains with Newcastle for Initial Session since Setback
Newcastle United's recent signing Yoane Wissa has trained with his squad for the first time since sustaining a knee problem shortly after his arrival from Brentford in the autumn.
Manager Eddie Howe announced the development on Friday but withheld a possible comeback timeline for the 29-year-old.
Newcastle signed the forward for a significant fee to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a British record sum.
Unfortunately, Wissa was hurt while on international service before he could play his first game for his new club.
“His recovery is going smoothly, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was extremely satisfied with how he looked,” Howe said. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he responds today.”
The manager added: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s likely best if I keep that to myself. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. Of course, we want to include him as quickly.”
In other news, Kieran Trippier will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring issue.
Fourth Story: Liverpool' Poor Form ‘Irrelevant’, Says West Ham Boss Nuno
West Ham United head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Liverpool' current slump “is largely irrelevant” as his side prepares to take on the struggling top-flight title holders.
Arne Slot's side has suffered six losses in seven recent Premier League games, dropping out of the top 10 of the table.
However, Nuno stressed that there can be no complacency when the sides clash on Sunday at the their home ground.
“Liverpool are a quality side and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno said. “We are preparing to play the title winners, players that are talented and capable of doing good things, so we have to get ready.
“The history of the outcomes before, the form of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the day. Knowing that we are going to face a high-quality team, that has players able of doing amazing feats, so we have to be fully prepared, to compete.”
The Hammers will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their recovery from fitness issues.
5. Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Nottingham Forest against Brighton
The club's boss Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the side's at home match against Brighton on the weekend.
The England international was absent for Thursday's Europa League match against Malmö due to a back issue.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche commented as he prepared to face the Brighton manager's team, who have taken a decent haul from their last three outings.
“It’s like a bad back, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or move improperly. So we’re not expecting, at this point anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s improving already. So we’re confident that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
The defender was feeling his hamstring after the comfortable Europa League win, but Dyche said the player “is expected to be okay”.
Meanwhile, Ola Aina (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and the defender (hip) are expected to be unavailable.
Sixth Story: Oliver Glasner: European Loss Will Not Set Back Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner feels that the disappointment of midweek's Conference League defeat to the French side is a sign of how far the team has come in competing on two fronts.
The domestic cup holders took the lead at Stade de la Meinau through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were pegged back by the opposition manager's team, who moved up to second in the table.
The Eagles now switch focus to Premier League competition with a at Selhurst Park fixture against the Red Devils, and Glasner is confident his team can keep up their push for a top four spot.
“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault,” Glasner said. “Alternatively, we have to take it on the chin. The commitment was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”
Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would be absent for the weekend's match after he stayed behind to France, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against Strasbourg, should be in the team selection.