Premier League Headlines: Palmer Set for The Blues Comeback; Gueye's Unsuccessful Red Card Appeal Mystery
1. Star Talent Palmer Ready for Crucial Capital Derby with Arsenal
The Blues manager Enzo Maresca stated on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the squad's important Premier League match against London rivals Arsenal.
The young English midfielder was unavailable due to a broken toe sustained after an accidental occurrence.
“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca commented. “The whole team is delighted.”
This season, Palmer has made only four appearances in every contest, netting two goals.
Following his transfer from City in the previous year, he has notched 45 scores and 29 helpers in 101 matches for Chelsea.
“He is our most valuable asset, we are pleased he is back, we need to give him time to be 100% fit,” Maresca noted. “He has been brilliant historically and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Receive No Explanation for Failed Gueye Dismissal Appeal
Everton have failed in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for an on-field altercation with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's narrow win at Old Trafford.
The 36-year-old Senegalese midfielder was sent off only 13 minutes into the contest after hitting Keane amid a disagreement over a misplaced pass.
The player promptly expressed regret, and the teammates were seen reconciled afterwards in a light-hearted online video.
However, the appeal against the red card was turned down, and Gueye must serve a three-game ban, making Everton shorthanded for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach David Moyes revealed. “We received no rationale for the denial but we did appeal it.”
Inquired about any further fallout from the incident, Moyes remarked: “The matter was resolved instantly, it was done, that was it, we progressed rapidly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”
3. Yoane Wissa Trains with The Magpies for First Time since Injury
Newcastle United's new signing Yoane Wissa has trained with his squad for the first time since sustaining a knee injury shortly after his arrival from Brentford in September.
Head coach Eddie Howe confirmed the news on Friday but kept private a possible return date for the player.
The team brought in the striker for a significant fee to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a record-breaking transfer fee.
Unfortunately, Wissa was hurt while on international service before he could play his first game for Newcastle.
“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, so I was really pleased with how he looked,” Howe commented. “It was his initial competitive session with the team. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
Howe continued: “There is a planned comeback timeline, but it’s likely best if I keep that to myself. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. Of course, we want to involve him as promptly.”
In other news, Kieran Trippier will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring issue.
4. Liverpool' Slump ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says Hammers Manager Nuno
West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has insisted that the reigning champions' current slump “is largely irrelevant” as his side prepares to take on the ailing top-flight champions.
The Liverpool manager's side has suffered six losses in seven recent Premier League games, falling out of the upper half of the standings.
However, Nuno stressed that there can be no taking it easy when the sides meet on the weekend at the their home ground.
“Liverpool is a good team and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno commented. “We anticipate facing the league champions, players that are skilled and capable of doing great things, so we have to get ready.
“The history of the outcomes before, the performance of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the match day. Aware that we are going to face a excellent team, that has players able of doing amazing feats, so we have to get ready, to compete.”
The Hammers will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their recovery from injury.
5. Gibbs-White in Contention 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 England player missed Thursday's European match against Malmö due to a back injury.
“Fortunately, it seems to be calming down,” Dyche commented as he got ready to face Fabian Hürzeler's side, who have secured seven points from their last three outings.
“It’s similar to a sore back, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or move improperly. So we’re not expecting, at this point anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s easing already. So we’re confident that it’ll be fine for the weekend.”
The defender was feeling his hamstring muscle after the 3-0 European victory, but Dyche indicated the player “is expected to be okay”.
Meanwhile, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and the defender (hip) are likely to be unavailable.
6. Glasner: Conference League Loss Won't Hinder Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner feels that the setback of midweek's Conference League loss to the French side is a sign of how much progress the team has advanced in challenging on multiple fronts.
The domestic cup winners went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's opening period goal but were equalized against by Liam Rosenior's team, who moved up to runner-up in the table.
Crystal Palace now return to domestic action with a home fixture against Manchester United, and Glasner is confident his team can keep up their challenge for a top four place.
“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was entirely needless and it is our fault,” Glasner commented. “However, we have to acknowledge it. The effort was there but it is a game we shouldn’t definitely lose.”
Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would miss out for the weekend's game after he did not travel to France, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against the opponents, is expected to be in the matchday squad.