Premier League Updates: Cole Palmer Set for The Blues Comeback; Gueye's Unsuccessful Appeal Lacks Explanation
First Story: Key Talent Palmer Available for Crucial London Derby with Arsenal
The Blues head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the team's vital Premier League match against local rivals Arsenal.
The 23-year-old English international had been sidelined due to a fractured toe suffered after an unfortunate incident.
“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca said. “The whole team is delighted.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has featured in just four games in every contest, netting two goals.
After joining from Manchester City in the previous year, he has notched 45 scores and 29 helpers in 101 matches for Chelsea.
“He is our top performer, we are delighted he is back, we need to give him time to be 100% fit,” Maresca added. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do exceptionally well for this club in the future.”
2. The Toffees Receive No Explanation for Rejected Idrissa Gueye Red Card Appeal
The Merseyside club have failed in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for a fight with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's single-goal triumph at Manchester United.
The veteran Senegalese player was shown a red card just early on into the contest after striking Keane amid a dispute over a poor pass.
The player quickly said sorry, and the pair appeared reconciled later in a light-hearted online post.
However, the challenge against the dismissal was denied, and Gueye must serve a three-game suspension, making Everton depleted for their upcoming match against Newcastle United.
“We have appealed it and our appeal was turned down,” manager the manager said. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
When asked about any further fallout from the event, Moyes remarked: “The matter was resolved instantly, it was done, that was it, we moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
Third Story: Wissa Trains with Newcastle for Initial Session since Injury
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 move from his former club in September.
Manager Eddie Howe confirmed the development on Friday but kept private a possible return date for the 29-year-old.
The team brought in the striker for £55m to replace Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a British record transfer fee.
Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on national team duty before he could make his debut for Newcastle.
“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was very happy with how he looked,” Howe said. “It was his initial competitive session with the team. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
The manager continued: “There is a planned comeback timeline, but it’s probably best if I keep that to myself. We aim to avoid letting people down. Of course, we want to utilize him as promptly.”
In other news, the defender will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring issue.
4. The Reds' Slump ‘Irrelevant’, Says Hammers Boss Nuno
The Hammers manager Nuno Espírito Santo has insisted that Liverpool' current slump “doesn’t really matter” as his side prepares to face the struggling top-flight title holders.
Arne Slot's team has lost six of the last seven league games, dropping out of the upper half of the table.
However, Nuno highlighted that there can be no room for overconfidence when the sides clash on the weekend at the London Stadium.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno remarked. “So what we expect is the champions of the Premier League, players that are talented and able of doing great things, so we have to prepare.
“The past of the results before, the form of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the match day. Knowing that we are going to face a very good team, that has players able of doing fantastic things, so we have to get ready, to perform.”
The Hammers will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their recovery from injury.
5. Morgan Gibbs-White in Contention for Forest against The Seagulls
The club's boss Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the team's home match against Brighton on the weekend.
The English player missed the midweek Europa League game against Malmö due to a back issue.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche stated as he got ready to face Fabian Hürzeler's side, who have taken a decent haul from their last three outings.
“It’s comparable to back pain, 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 easing already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
The defender was feeling his hamstring muscle after the comfortable Europa League victory, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.
Meanwhile, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are likely to miss out.
6. Glasner: Conference League Defeat Will Not Set Back Palace
The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner feels that the disappointment of Thursday's European defeat to the French side is a sign of how much progress the club has come in competing on two fronts.
The domestic cup holders went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were equalized against by Liam Rosenior's team, who climbed to runner-up in the group standings.
The Eagles now switch focus to domestic action with a at Selhurst Park match against Manchester United, and Glasner is confident his side can keep up their challenge for a Champions League spot.
“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was totally avoidable and it is our fault,” Glasner remarked. “On the other side, we have to accept 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 France, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the first half against the opponents, should be in the team selection.