EPL Updates: Palmer Set for The Blues Comeback; Idrissa Gueye's Failed Appeal Lacks Explanation
First Story: Top Player Palmer Ready for Important London Derby with Arsenal
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca announced on Friday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the squad's vital Premier League fixture against London rivals Arsenal.
The 23-year-old England midfielder was unavailable due to a fractured toe suffered after an accidental occurrence.
“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca commented. “The whole team is delighted.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has featured in just four games in every contest, netting two goals.
Following his transfer from City in the previous year, he has achieved 45 scores and 29 helpers in 101 games for the London club.
“He is our best player, we are pleased he is back, we need to allow him time to be 100% fit,” Maresca noted. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”
2. The Toffees Get No Explanation for Rejected Idrissa Gueye Dismissal Appeal
The Merseyside club have failed in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for a physical confrontation with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's narrow win at Manchester United.
The 36-year-old Senegal player was sent off just 13 minutes into the contest after hitting Keane amid a dispute over a misplaced pass.
Gueye promptly expressed regret, and the teammates appeared making up afterwards in a mock social media post.
However, the challenge against the red card was turned down, and Gueye must complete a three-game ban, leaving Everton depleted for their next fixture against Newcastle United.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” manager David Moyes revealed. “No explanation was provided for the rejection but we did appeal it.”
When asked about additional consequences from the event, Moyes added: “The matter was resolved instantly, it was done, that was it, we progressed quite quickly 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 acquisition Yoane Wissa has practiced with his new teammates for the first time since suffering a knee injury soon after his move from Brentford in the autumn.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the development on the end of the week but withheld a potential return date for the player.
Newcastle brought in the forward for £55m to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a record-breaking sum.
Unfortunately, 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 midweek, so I was really pleased with how he looked,” Howe stated. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he responds 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. Of course, we want to utilize him as soon as possible.”
Additionally, the defender will be sidelined for a four-week period with a hamstring injury.
4. The Reds' Slump ‘Irrelevant’, Insists West Ham Boss Nuno
The Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that the reigning champions' current slump “is largely irrelevant” as his team prepares to take on the ailing Premier League title holders.
Arne Slot's team has suffered six losses in seven recent Premier League matches, falling out of the top 10 of the standings.
Nevertheless, Nuno emphasized that there can be no taking it easy when the teams meet on Sunday at the London Stadium.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno remarked. “So what we expect is the champions of the Premier League, players that are skilled and capable of doing good things, so we have to prepare.
“The history of the results before, the form of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the day. Aware that we are going to face a high-quality team, that has players able of doing fantastic things, so we have to be fully prepared, to perform.”
The Hammers will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their recovery from injury.
Fifth Story: Morgan Gibbs-White in Contention for Nottingham Forest against Brighton
The club's boss Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the team's at home fixture against Brighton on the weekend.
The English player missed Thursday's Europa League match against Malmö due to a back injury.
“Fortunately, it seems to be calming down,” Dyche commented as he prepared to face Fabian Hürzeler's side, who have taken seven points from their last 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 stage anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s easing already. So we’re confident that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
Murillo was feeling his hamstring muscle after the comfortable Europa League win, but Dyche indicated the player “should be fine”.
Meanwhile, Ola Aina (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are likely to be unavailable.
Sixth Story: Glasner: Conference League Loss Won't Set Back Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner feels that the disappointment of Thursday's Conference League defeat to the French side is a sign of how much progress the team has come in competing on two fronts.
The domestic cup winners went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were pegged back by the opposition manager's side, who moved up to runner-up in the table.
Crystal Palace now return to domestic action with a at Selhurst Park fixture against Manchester United, and Glasner is confident his side can keep up their push for a top four spot.
“Comparable to the recent setback at Goodison Park, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault,” Glasner commented. “On the other side, we have to acknowledge it. The effort was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”
Glasner confirmed 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 Strasbourg, should be in the matchday squad.