EPL News Roundup: Cole Palmer Ready for The Blues Comeback; Idrissa Gueye's Unsuccessful Appeal Mystery
First Story: Key Talent Palmer Available for High-Stakes Capital Derby with Arsenal
The Blues manager Enzo Maresca stated on Friday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the team's significant top-flight encounter against local opponents Arsenal.
The young English international had been sidelined due to a fractured toe incurred after an unfortunate occurrence.
“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca commented. “Everyone is happy.”
This season, Palmer has been limited to four outings in all tournaments, scoring twice.
After joining from City in 2023, he has achieved 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 games for Chelsea.
“He is our most valuable asset, we are delighted he is back, we need to give him time to be completely ready,” Maresca noted. “He has been brilliant historically and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Receive No Explanation for Rejected Gueye Dismissal Appeal
Everton have failed in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for a fight with teammate Michael Keane during the squad's narrow win at Old Trafford.
The veteran Senegalese midfielder was sent off just 13 minutes into the match after hitting Keane during a disagreement over a misplaced pass.
Gueye promptly expressed regret, and the teammates were seen making up later 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 depleted for their upcoming match against Newcastle.
“We challenged the decision and it was rejected,” coach the manager revealed. “No explanation was provided for the rejection but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about more issues from the incident, Moyes remarked: “The matter was resolved instantly, it was done, that was it, we moved on swiftly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
3. Yoane Wissa Practices with Newcastle for Initial Session since Injury
The club's recent acquisition Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the initial occasion since suffering a knee injury shortly after his arrival from Brentford in September.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the development on Friday but withheld a possible comeback timeline for the 29-year-old.
Newcastle brought in the striker for a significant fee to replace Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a record-breaking sum.
Unfortunately, Wissa was hurt while on international duty before he could make his debut for his new club.
“His recovery is going smoothly, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, so I was really pleased with how he looked,” Howe said. “It was his initial competitive session with the team. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
The manager added: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s probably best if I do not share it publicly. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. Naturally, we want to utilize him as quickly.”
In other news, the defender will be sidelined for a four-week period with a hamstring injury.
4. The Reds' Slump ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Insists Hammers Manager Nuno
West Ham United head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that the reigning champions' dip in performance “is largely irrelevant” as his team prepares to face the struggling top-flight title holders.
The Liverpool manager's team has suffered six losses in seven recent league matches, dropping out of the upper half of the table.
Nevertheless, Nuno stressed that there can be no complacency when the sides clash on Sunday at the their home ground.
“Liverpool is a good team and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno said. “So what we expect is the champions of the Premier League, players that are talented and capable of doing good things, so we have to prepare.
“The past of the outcomes before, the form of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the match day. Knowing that we are going to face a very good team, that has players capable of doing amazing feats, so we have to get ready, to perform.”
The Hammers will have available Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their return from fitness issues.
5. Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against The Seagulls
Nottingham Forest's boss Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the team's home fixture against Brighton on the weekend.
The English player missed the midweek Europa League game against Malmö due to a back issue.
“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche stated as he prepared to face Fabian Hürzeler's side, who have taken a decent haul from their last three matches.
“It’s similar to a sore back, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or move improperly. So we’re not anticipating, at this stage anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s settling down already. So we’re confident that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
Murillo was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring muscle after the comfortable Europa League victory, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.
Meanwhile, Ola Aina (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), the striker (knee), and the defender (hip) are likely to be unavailable.
6. Glasner: European Loss Won't Hinder Crystal Palace
The Eagles head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the setback of Thursday's Conference League loss to Strasbourg is a indication of how much progress the team has come in challenging on two fronts.
The domestic cup holders went ahead at Stade de la Meinau through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were pegged back by the opposition manager's side, who climbed to second in the group standings.
Crystal Palace now switch focus to Premier League competition with a home fixture against Manchester United, and Glasner is optimistic his team can maintain their challenge for a Champions League place.
“Similar to the late loss against Everton, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault,” Glasner commented. “However, we have to acknowledge it. The commitment was there but it is a game we shouldn’t definitely lose.”
Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would miss out for Sunday's game after he did not travel to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against Strasbourg, should be in the team selection.