Premier League Updates: Palmer Ready for Chelsea Return; Idrissa Gueye's Failed Appeal Lacks Explanation
First Story: Top Player Palmer Fit for High-Stakes London Clash with Arsenal
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the squad's significant top-flight fixture against London rivals Arsenal.
The young England international was out of action due to a broken toe suffered after an unfortunate occurrence.
“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca said. “The whole team is delighted.”
This season, Palmer has made only four appearances in every contest, scoring twice.
Since his arrival from Manchester City in 2023, he has notched 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 appearances for Chelsea.
“He is our most valuable asset, we are pleased he is back, we need to provide him with 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: Everton Receive No Reason for Failed Gueye Red Card Appeal
The Merseyside club were unsuccessful in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's red card for a fight with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's narrow win at Manchester United.
The 36-year-old Senegalese player was shown a red card only early on into the contest after hitting Keane during a disagreement over a poor pass.
The player promptly expressed regret, and the pair were seen reconciled afterwards in a light-hearted social media post.
However, the appeal against the red card was denied, and Gueye must serve a three-match suspension, making Everton short-staffed for their next match against Newcastle.
“We have appealed it and our appeal was turned down,” manager David Moyes said. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about any further fallout from the incident, Moyes continued: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we progressed rapidly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”
Third Story: Wissa Practices with The Magpies for Initial Session since Injury
The club's recent signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the first time since sustaining a knee injury shortly after his move from Brentford in the autumn.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on Friday but kept private a possible return date for the 29-year-old.
The team signed the striker for a significant fee to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record sum.
Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on national team duty before he could play his first game for his new club.
“He is progressing nicely, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was really pleased with how he looked,” Howe said. “That’s his first time competitively with the group. Let’s see how he responds today.”
Howe added: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s likely best if I keep that to myself. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Of course, we want to utilize him as quickly.”
In other news, the defender will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring injury.
4. The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Insists Hammers Boss Nuno
West Ham United head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that the reigning champions' current slump “should not be a focus” as his side prepares to take on the struggling Premier League champions.
The Liverpool manager's team has been defeated in six of their previous seven league matches, falling out of the top 10 of the standings.
Nevertheless, Nuno stressed that there can be no taking it easy when the sides meet 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 skilled and capable of doing great things, so we have to be ready.
“The history of the results before, the form of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the match day. Aware 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 fitness issues.
Fifth Story: Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against Brighton
The club's boss Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the side's home match against Brighton on Sunday.
The England international missed Thursday's European game against the Swedish side due to a back issue.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche stated as he got ready to face the Brighton manager's team, who have taken seven points from their past three matches.
“It’s similar to a sore back, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or twist funny. So we’re not expecting, at this point anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s settling down already. So we’re confident that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
The defender was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring after the comfortable Europa League victory, but Dyche indicated the player “will likely be available”.
Meanwhile, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and the defender (hip) are expected to be unavailable.
6. Glasner: European Defeat Will Not Hinder Palace
The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner believes that the disappointment of midweek's Conference League defeat to Strasbourg is a sign of how much progress the team has come in competing on two fronts.
The FA Cup holders took the lead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were pegged back by Liam Rosenior's team, who climbed to runner-up in the table.
Crystal Palace now return to domestic action with a home fixture against Manchester United, and Glasner is confident his team can maintain their challenge for a top four spot.
“Similar to the late loss against Everton, it just feels that it was totally avoidable and it is our fault,” Glasner remarked. “Alternatively, we have to acknowledge it. The commitment was there but it is a game we could have avoided losing.”
Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would miss out for the weekend's match after he did not travel to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the first half against the opponents, is expected to be in the team selection.