EPL News Roundup: Palmer Poised for The Blues Comeback; Idrissa Gueye's Failed Appeal Lacks Explanation
1. Star Talent Palmer Fit for High-Stakes London Clash with Arsenal
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca stated on Friday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the team's vital top-flight fixture against London opponents Arsenal.
The young England midfielder was unavailable due to a broken toe incurred after an accidental incident.
“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca declared. “All involved are pleased.”
This season, Palmer has made only four appearances in every contest, netting two goals.
Following his transfer from City in 2023, he has notched 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 appearances for Chelsea.
“He is our best player, we are pleased he is back, we need to allow him time to be completely ready,” Maresca noted. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”
2. The Toffees Receive No Reason for Failed Idrissa Gueye Dismissal Challenge
Everton have failed in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for a fight with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's single-goal triumph at Manchester United.
The 36-year-old Senegalese midfielder was sent off just 13 minutes into the game after hitting Keane amid a dispute over a poor pass.
Gueye promptly expressed regret, and the pair appeared making up afterwards in a light-hearted online post.
However, the challenge against the dismissal was rejected, and Gueye must serve a three-game ban, leaving Everton shorthanded for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle United.
“We challenged the decision and it was rejected,” manager David Moyes stated. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down but we did appeal it.”
When asked about more issues from the event, Moyes continued: “The matter was resolved instantly, it was done, that was it, we moved on rapidly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
3. Yoane Wissa Practices with Newcastle for First Time since Injury
The club's recent acquisition Yoane Wissa has practiced with his new teammates for the initial occasion since suffering a knee problem shortly after his arrival from his former club in the autumn.
Manager Eddie Howe announced the development on the end of the week but withheld a possible comeback timeline for the player.
The team signed the forward for £55m to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record sum.
Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on international service before he could make his debut for Newcastle.
“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was really pleased with how he looked,” Howe commented. “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 don’t want to disappoint anyone. Naturally, we want to include him as soon as possible.”
In other news, the defender will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring issue.
4. Liverpool' Slump ‘Irrelevant’, Says Hammers Manager Nuno
The Hammers manager Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that Liverpool' recent poor form “should not be a focus” as his side prepares to face the ailing Premier League champions.
The Liverpool manager's side has lost six of the last seven league games, falling out of the upper half of the table.
Nevertheless, Nuno emphasized that there can be no room for overconfidence when the sides clash on the weekend 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 capable of doing fantastic things, so we have to be ready.
“The past of the outcomes before, the form of the teams, is not that important. It is about the day. Aware that we are going to face a very good team, that has players capable of doing amazing feats, so we have to prepare thoroughly, to perform.”
The Hammers will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their return from fitness issues.
5. Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against Brighton
The club's boss Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be ready for the team's home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on the weekend.
The England player missed the midweek European game against Malmö due to a back injury.
“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche stated as he got ready to face the Brighton manager's side, who have taken seven points from their last three outings.
“It’s comparable to back pain, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or twist funny. So we’re not anticipating, at this stage anyway, that it’s too serious 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 European victory, but Dyche indicated the player “will likely be available”.
However, the full-back (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), the winger (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are expected to miss out.
6. Oliver Glasner: Conference League Loss Will Not Hinder Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner feels that the disappointment of Thursday's Conference League loss to the French side is a sign of how much progress the club has advanced in competing on two fronts.
The FA Cup holders took the lead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period 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 competition with a home fixture against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his team can keep up their challenge for a Champions League place.
“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 take it on the chin. The effort was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”
Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would miss out for Sunday's game after he did not travel to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against the opponents, is expected to be in the matchday squad.