EPL Headlines: Cole Palmer Ready for Chelsea Comeback; Idrissa Gueye's Failed Red Card Appeal Lacks Explanation
1. Key Talent Palmer Fit for Crucial Capital Clash with Arsenal
The Blues head coach Enzo Maresca stated on Friday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the squad's significant Premier League match against local opponents Arsenal.
The 23-year-old English midfielder was unavailable due to a broken toe sustained after an accidental incident.
“He is ready to start and participate,” Maresca commented. “The whole team is delighted.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has been limited to four outings across all competitions, scoring twice.
Since his arrival from City in 2023, he has achieved 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 games for Chelsea.
“He is our top performer, we are pleased he is back, we need to provide him with time to be 100% fit,” Maresca noted. “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 Idrissa Gueye Dismissal Challenge
Everton were unsuccessful in their protest against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for an on-field altercation with teammate Michael Keane during the team's narrow win at Old Trafford.
The veteran Senegal midfielder was dismissed just 13 minutes into the contest after striking Keane amid a dispute over a misplaced pass.
The player promptly expressed regret, and the teammates were seen reconciled afterwards in a light-hearted online video.
However, the challenge against the red card was rejected, and Gueye must serve a three-game suspension, making Everton short-staffed for their upcoming match against Newcastle United.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach David Moyes stated. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about any further fallout from the event, Moyes added: “It was over immediately, it was done, that was it, we moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
3. Wissa Trains with Newcastle for First Time since Setback
Newcastle United's new signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the first time since suffering a knee problem soon after his move from his former club in the autumn.
Manager Eddie Howe announced the development on Friday but kept private a possible return date for the player.
Newcastle signed the striker for £55m to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a British record transfer fee.
Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on international service before he could make his debut for his new club.
“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, so I was very happy with how he looked,” Howe stated. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
Howe continued: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s probably best if I do not share it publicly. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Of course, we want to involve him as promptly.”
In other news, the defender will be sidelined for a month with a hamstring issue.
Fourth Story: The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says West Ham Boss Nuno
West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that Liverpool' recent poor form “doesn’t really matter” as his team prepares to face the struggling Premier League champions.
Arne Slot's team has suffered six losses in seven recent Premier League matches, falling out of the top 10 of the table.
Nevertheless, Nuno emphasized that there can be no room for overconfidence when the teams meet on Sunday at the London Stadium.
“Liverpool are a quality side and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno said. “We anticipate facing the league champions, players that are skilled and able of doing fantastic things, so we have to be ready.
“The history 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 high-quality team, that has players able of doing amazing feats, so we have to be fully prepared, to challenge.”
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: Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against The Seagulls
Nottingham Forest's manager Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the team's home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on the weekend.
The English player missed the midweek European game against the Swedish side due to a back injury.
“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche commented as he got ready to face Fabian Hürzeler's side, who have secured seven points from their past three outings.
“It’s comparable to back pain, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or move improperly. So we’re not expecting, at this stage anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s settling down already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be okay for the weekend.”
The defender was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring after the 3-0 European win, but Dyche said the player “is expected to be okay”.
However, the full-back (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), the winger (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and the defender (hip) are expected to miss out.
6. Glasner: European Loss Will Not Set Back Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner believes that the setback of midweek's European loss to the French side is a indication of how much progress the club has advanced in challenging on two fronts.
The FA Cup holders went ahead at Stade de la Meinau through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were pegged back by the opposition manager's side, who climbed to runner-up in the group standings.
Crystal Palace now switch focus to domestic competition with a at Selhurst Park fixture against the Red Devils, and Glasner is confident his team can keep up their push for a top four place.
“Comparable to the recent setback at Goodison Park, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner commented. “On the other side, we have to accept it. The effort was there but it is a game we could have avoided losing.”
Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would be absent for Sunday's match after he stayed behind to France, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the opening period against Strasbourg, is expected to be in the matchday squad.