Premier League News Roundup: Palmer Set for Chelsea Return; Idrissa Gueye's Failed Red Card Appeal Lacks Explanation
1. Top Talent Palmer Fit for Important London Clash with Arsenal
The Blues manager Enzo Maresca stated on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the squad's vital Premier League match against local opponents Arsenal.
The young England international was out of action due to a broken 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 Manchester City in 2023, he has notched 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 appearances for Chelsea.
“He is our top performer, we are pleased he is back, we need to give 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.”
Second Story: Everton Receive No Explanation for Failed Idrissa Gueye Red Card Challenge
The Merseyside club have failed in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for a fight with teammate Michael Keane during the team's narrow win at Manchester United.
The 36-year-old Senegalese midfielder was shown a red card only early on into the contest after hitting Keane amid a argument over a misplaced pass.
Gueye quickly said sorry, and the pair were seen making up later in a mock social media post.
However, the appeal against the red card was denied, and Gueye must complete a three-game ban, leaving Everton shorthanded for their upcoming match against Newcastle.
“We challenged the decision and it was rejected,” coach David Moyes revealed. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
When asked about any further fallout from the incident, Moyes added: “It was over immediately, it was done, that was it, we progressed swiftly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”
3. Wissa Practices with The Magpies for First Time since Setback
Newcastle United's new acquisition Yoane Wissa has trained with his new teammates for the initial occasion since sustaining a knee problem soon after his move from his former club in the autumn.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on Friday but kept private a possible comeback timeline for the player.
Newcastle brought in the striker for a significant fee to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a British record sum.
Unfortunately, Wissa was hurt while on international duty before he could make his debut for Newcastle.
“His recovery is going smoothly, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, so I was extremely satisfied with how he looked,” Howe commented. “That’s his first time competitively with the group. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
Howe continued: “There is a planned comeback timeline, but it’s probably best if I withhold that information. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Of course, we want to utilize him as promptly.”
In other news, Kieran Trippier will be out of action for a month with a hamstring issue.
4. The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says Hammers Boss Nuno
West Ham United head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has insisted that Liverpool' current slump “should not be a focus” as his side gets ready to face the struggling top-flight champions.
Arne Slot's side has been defeated in six of their previous seven league games, falling out of the upper half of the standings.
Nevertheless, Nuno stressed that there can be no room for overconfidence when the sides clash 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 anticipate facing the league champions, players that are skilled and able of doing great things, so we have to get ready.
“The past of the outcomes before, the performance of the teams, is largely insignificant. It is about the match day. Aware that we are going to face a high-quality team, that has players able of doing fantastic things, so we have to get ready, to compete.”
West Ham will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their return from injury.
5. Gibbs-White Could Feature for Nottingham Forest against Brighton
The club's boss Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the side's at home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion 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 team, who have taken seven points from their past three outings.
“It’s like a bad back, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or twist funny. So we’re not expecting, at this point anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s improving already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
Murillo was feeling his hamstring muscle after the 3-0 Europa League victory, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.
Meanwhile, Ola Aina (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are expected to miss out.
Sixth Story: Oliver Glasner: European Defeat Won't Set Back Palace
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner feels that the setback of Thursday's European defeat to the French side is a sign of how far 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 equalized against by the opposition manager's team, who climbed to runner-up in the table.
The Eagles now return to Premier League action with a at Selhurst Park match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his team can maintain their push for a Champions League place.
“Comparable to the recent setback at Goodison Park, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner said. “On the other side, we have to accept it. The commitment was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”
Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would be absent for the weekend's match after he did not travel to France, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against Strasbourg, is expected to be in the team selection.