English Premier League News Roundup: Palmer Ready for Chelsea Return; Idrissa Gueye's Failed Red Card Appeal Lacks Explanation
First Story: Key Talent Palmer Ready for Important Capital Derby with Arsenal
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca announced on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is available for selection for the team's significant Premier League match against London rivals Arsenal.
The young English midfielder was unavailable due to a fractured toe incurred after an accidental occurrence.
“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca commented. “Everyone is happy.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has featured in just four games across all competitions, netting two goals.
Since his arrival from Manchester City in 2023, he has recorded 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 games for the London club.
“He is our top performer, we are pleased he is back, we need to provide him with time to be completely ready,” Maresca continued. “He has been brilliant historically and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”
Second Story: Everton Get No Explanation for Failed Idrissa Gueye Red Card Challenge
Everton were unsuccessful in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for an on-field altercation with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's single-goal triumph at Manchester United.
The veteran Senegal player was sent off only early on into the game after slapping Keane during a dispute over a poor pass.
The player promptly expressed regret, and the pair were seen making up afterwards in a light-hearted online post.
However, the appeal against the dismissal was turned down, and Gueye must complete a three-game suspension, leaving Everton depleted for their upcoming match against Newcastle.
“We have appealed it and our appeal was turned down,” manager the manager stated. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about more issues from the event, Moyes added: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
Third Story: Wissa Practices with The Magpies for First Time since Setback
The club's recent acquisition Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the first time since suffering a knee problem soon after his move from Brentford in September.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the development on the end of the week but kept private a potential comeback timeline for the player.
Newcastle brought in the striker 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. “It was his initial competitive session with the team. Let’s see how he responds today.”
Howe continued: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s probably best if I keep that to myself. We aim to avoid letting people down. Of course, we want to involve him as quickly.”
Additionally, the defender will be sidelined for a month with a hamstring issue.
4. The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Insists Hammers Manager Nuno
The Hammers manager Nuno Espírito Santo has insisted that the reigning champions' recent poor form “should not be a focus” as his side prepares to take on the ailing Premier League title holders.
The Liverpool manager's team has been defeated in six of their previous seven Premier League games, dropping out of the top 10 of the standings.
Nevertheless, Nuno highlighted that there can be no complacency when the teams meet on the weekend at the London Stadium.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno said. “So what we expect is the champions of the Premier League, players that are talented and able of doing good things, so we have to be ready.
“The history of the outcomes before, the performance of the teams, is not that important. It is about the match day. Aware that we are going to face a high-quality team, that has players capable of doing amazing feats, so we have to be fully prepared, to compete.”
West Ham will have available Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their return from injury.
Fifth Story: Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against Brighton
Nottingham Forest's boss Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit for the side's home fixture against Brighton on Sunday.
The English international was absent for Thursday's Europa League match against the Swedish side due to a back issue.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche stated as he got ready to face the Brighton manager's side, who have secured seven points from their last three matches.
“It’s similar to a sore 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 easing already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be fine for the weekend.”
The defender was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring muscle after the 3-0 European victory, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.
However, the full-back (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are expected to miss out.
6. Glasner: European Loss Won't Hinder Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the disappointment of midweek's European defeat to Strasbourg is a sign of how far the team has advanced in challenging on multiple fronts.
The domestic cup holders took the lead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were pegged back by Liam Rosenior's team, who moved up to runner-up in the group standings.
Crystal Palace now switch focus to domestic competition with a at Selhurst Park match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his side can maintain their push for a Champions League spot.
“Comparable to the recent setback at Goodison Park, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner said. “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 be absent for the weekend's match after he stayed behind to France, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the first half against the opponents, should be in the matchday squad.