First Story: Star Talent Palmer Fit for Important London Clash with The Gunners
The Blues manager Enzo Maresca announced on Friday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the squad's significant Premier League fixture against local rivals Arsenal.
The 23-year-old English midfielder had been sidelined due to a fractured toe incurred after an accidental incident.
“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca declared. “Everyone is happy.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has featured in just four games across all competitions, scoring twice.
After joining from City in 2023, he has notched 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 appearances for Chelsea.
“He is our top performer, we are delighted he is back, we need to provide him with time to be 100% fit,” Maresca continued. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Receive No Reason for Failed Idrissa Gueye Red Card Appeal
Everton have failed in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's red card for a fight with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's single-goal triumph at Manchester United.
The veteran Senegalese midfielder was dismissed only 13 minutes into the contest after striking Keane amid a disagreement over a poor pass.
Gueye quickly said sorry, and the teammates were seen reconciled later in a mock social media post.
However, the challenge against the dismissal was denied, and Gueye must serve a three-match suspension, making Everton short-staffed for their next fixture against Newcastle United.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” manager the manager revealed. “No explanation was provided for the rejection but we did appeal it.”
When asked about more issues from the incident, Moyes remarked: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”
Third Story: Wissa Trains with Newcastle for Initial Session since Setback
The club's new signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his new teammates for the initial occasion since suffering a knee problem shortly after his move from Brentford in September.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on the end of the week but did not disclose a possible return date for the 29-year-old.
Newcastle brought in the striker for a significant fee to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record sum.
Regrettably, Wissa was hurt while on national team service before he could make his debut for Newcastle.
“He is progressing nicely, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, so I was very happy with how he looked,” Howe said. “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 likely best if I keep that to myself. We wish to prevent any disappointment. 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 injury.
4. Liverpool' Slump ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says West Ham Manager Nuno
The Hammers manager Nuno Espírito Santo has insisted that the reigning champions' current slump “doesn’t really matter” as his team prepares to face the ailing top-flight title holders.
The Liverpool manager's team has lost six of the last seven Premier League matches, dropping out of the top 10 of the standings.
Nevertheless, Nuno emphasized that there can be no room for overconfidence when the teams clash on Sunday at the London Stadium.
“Liverpool is a good 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 skilled and capable of doing good things, so we have to be ready.
“The history of the results before, the performance of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the day. Knowing that we are going to face a very good team, that has players capable of doing fantastic things, so we have to get ready, to challenge.”
West Ham will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their recovery from injury.
5. Gibbs-White in Contention for Forest against The Seagulls
The club's boss Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the side's at home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on the weekend.
The English player was absent for Thursday's Europa League match against the Swedish side due to a back injury.
“We hope it is improving,” Dyche said as he got ready to face the Brighton manager's team, who have secured seven points from their past three outings.
“It’s similar to a sore back, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or move improperly. So we’re not anticipating, at this stage anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s easing already. So we’re confident that it’ll be okay for the weekend.”
The defender was feeling his hamstring after the comfortable Europa League win, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.
However, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are likely to be unavailable.
Sixth Story: Oliver Glasner: Conference League Loss Won't Set Back Crystal Palace
The Eagles head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the setback of Thursday's Conference League loss to Strasbourg is a indication of how much progress the team has advanced in challenging on multiple fronts.
The FA Cup holders went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were pegged back by Liam Rosenior's side, who climbed to second in the table.
The Eagles now switch focus to Premier League competition with a at Selhurst Park match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his side can maintain their challenge for a Champions League place.
“Similar to the late loss against Everton, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault,” Glasner said. “Alternatively, we have to take it on the chin. The commitment was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”
Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would be absent for Sunday's game after he did not travel to France, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the first half against the opponents, is expected to be in the team selection.
