Premier League Updates: Cole Palmer Poised for The Blues Comeback; Gueye's Failed Red Card Appeal Lacks Explanation
First Story: Key Talent Palmer Available for Important London Clash with Arsenal
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated on Friday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the team's vital top-flight fixture against local opponents Arsenal.
The 23-year-old English midfielder had been sidelined due to a fractured toe incurred after an unfortunate incident.
“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca declared. “Everyone is happy.”
This season, Palmer has been limited to four outings in all tournaments, scoring twice.
Following his transfer from City in the previous year, he has recorded 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 appearances for the London club.
“He is our most valuable asset, we are happy he is back, we need to give him time to be 100% fit,” Maresca continued. “He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Get No Reason for Failed Gueye Red Card Appeal
Everton have failed in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's red card for a physical confrontation with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's 1-0 victory at Manchester United.
The veteran Senegalese midfielder was dismissed just 13 minutes into the game after hitting Keane during a argument over a poor pass.
Gueye promptly expressed regret, and the teammates were seen making up afterwards in a light-hearted online post.
However, the challenge against the red card was denied, and Gueye must serve a three-match ban, making Everton shorthanded for their next fixture against Newcastle United.
“We have appealed it and our appeal was turned down,” coach David Moyes said. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
When asked about more issues from the incident, Moyes added: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we moved on swiftly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
3. Wissa Trains with Newcastle for Initial Session since Injury
The club's recent acquisition Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the initial occasion since sustaining a knee injury shortly after his move from his former club in September.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the development on Friday but withheld a potential return date for the 29-year-old.
The team signed the striker for £55m to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a record-breaking transfer fee.
Unfortunately, Wissa was hurt 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 extremely satisfied with how he looked,” Howe commented. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
The manager added: “We have a target return date, but it’s likely best if I withhold that information. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Naturally, we want to involve him as quickly.”
In other news, the defender will be sidelined for a month with a hamstring issue.
Fourth Story: Liverpool' Poor Form ‘Irrelevant’, Says West Ham Manager Nuno
The Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that the reigning champions' dip in performance “should not be a focus” as his team gets ready to face the struggling top-flight title holders.
The Liverpool manager's team has been defeated in six of their previous seven league matches, dropping out of the top 10 of the table.
However, Nuno highlighted that there can be no taking it easy when the teams meet on Sunday at the London Stadium.
“Liverpool is a good team 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 able of doing fantastic things, so we have to be ready.
“The past of the results before, the form of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the match day. Aware that we are going to face a high-quality team, that has players able of doing amazing feats, so we have to get ready, to compete.”
The Hammers will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their return from injury.
5. Gibbs-White in Contention for Nottingham Forest against Brighton
Nottingham Forest's boss Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the team's home match against Brighton & Hove Albion on the weekend.
The England player was absent for Thursday's European match against the Swedish side due to a back issue.
“Fortunately, it seems to be calming down,” Dyche stated as he got ready to face Fabian Hürzeler's side, who have secured a decent haul 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 move improperly. So we’re not anticipating, at this stage anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s improving already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be okay for the weekend.”
Murillo was feeling his hamstring after the comfortable Europa League victory, but Dyche indicated the player “is expected to be okay”.
Meanwhile, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are expected to miss out.
6. Oliver Glasner: European Defeat Will Not Hinder Palace
The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner believes that the disappointment of Thursday's European loss to the French side is a sign of how far the club has advanced in competing on multiple fronts.
The domestic cup holders went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were pegged back by Liam Rosenior's side, who climbed to runner-up in the group standings.
The Eagles now return to domestic action with a at Selhurst Park fixture against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his side can maintain their push 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 said. “On the other side, we have to accept it. The effort was there but it is a game we shouldn’t definitely lose.”
Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would not be available for the weekend's match after he did not travel to France, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the opening period against the opponents, should be in the matchday squad.