EPL Headlines: Cole Palmer Ready for Chelsea Return; Gueye's Failed Red Card Appeal Lacks Explanation
First Story: Star Player Palmer Available for Important Capital Derby with The Gunners
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca announced on Friday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the squad's significant Premier League encounter against local opponents Arsenal.
The young English midfielder was unavailable due to a broken toe sustained after an accidental incident.
“He is ready to start and participate,” Maresca said. “Everyone is happy.”
This season, Palmer has made only four appearances across all competitions, netting two goals.
Following his transfer from City in 2023, he has achieved 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 games for the London club.
“He is our best player, we are delighted he is back, we need to give him time to be fully fit,” Maresca added. “He has been brilliant historically 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 Dismissal Challenge
The Merseyside club were unsuccessful in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for a physical confrontation with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's narrow win at Manchester United.
The veteran Senegal midfielder was shown a red card just 13 minutes into the match after slapping Keane during a argument over a misplaced pass.
The player quickly said sorry, and the teammates appeared making up later in a light-hearted social media post.
However, the appeal against the dismissal was turned down, and Gueye must complete a three-match ban, leaving Everton shorthanded for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach David Moyes said. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
When asked about any further fallout from the event, Moyes remarked: “It ended right away, 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 First Time since Setback
Newcastle United's recent signing Yoane Wissa has trained with his new teammates for the initial occasion since sustaining a knee injury shortly after his arrival from his former club in the autumn.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the development on Friday but kept private a possible return date for the 29-year-old.
The team signed the striker for £55m to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record sum.
Regrettably, Wissa was injured while on national team duty before he could play his first game for his new club.
“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was really pleased with how he looked,” Howe said. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he responds today.”
Howe continued: “There is a planned comeback timeline, but it’s likely best if I withhold that information. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. Of course, we want to utilize him as quickly.”
Additionally, the defender will be sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury.
4. The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Insists Hammers Boss Nuno
West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has insisted that the reigning champions' current slump “should not be a focus” as his team gets ready to face the struggling top-flight title holders.
Arne Slot's team has lost six of the last seven Premier League matches, falling out of the upper half of the standings.
However, Nuno stressed that there can be no room for overconfidence when the sides clash on the weekend at the their home ground.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno commented. “So what we expect is the champions of the Premier League, players that are talented and capable of doing great things, so we have to prepare.
“The past of the results before, the performance of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the match day. Knowing that we are going to face a excellent team, that has players able of doing wonderful things, so we have to prepare thoroughly, to perform.”
The Hammers will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their recovery from injury.
5. Gibbs-White Could Feature for Nottingham Forest against Brighton
Nottingham Forest's manager Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the team's at home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
The England international missed the midweek Europa League match against the Swedish side due to a back issue.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche said as he prepared to face Fabian Hürzeler's team, who have secured seven points from their last three outings.
“It’s like a bad 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 very severe and it’s settling down already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
Murillo was feeling his hamstring after the 3-0 Europa League victory, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.
However, Ola Aina (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are likely to miss out.
Sixth Story: Oliver Glasner: Conference League Loss Will Not Set Back Palace
The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner feels that the setback of Thursday's Conference League defeat to Strasbourg is a indication of how much progress the club has come in challenging 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 side, who moved up to second in the group standings.
Crystal Palace now switch focus to Premier League competition with a at Selhurst Park fixture against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his team can maintain their challenge for a top four spot.
“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 accept it. The effort 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 stayed behind to France, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against Strasbourg, should be in the matchday squad.