English Premier League Headlines: Palmer Ready for The Blues Comeback; Gueye's Unsuccessful Appeal Lacks Explanation
First Story: Top Player Palmer Fit for Crucial London Derby with Arsenal
The Blues head coach Enzo Maresca stated on Friday that Cole Palmer is available for selection for the squad's important Premier League match against London rivals Arsenal.
The 23-year-old English midfielder had been sidelined due to a fractured toe incurred after an accidental occurrence.
“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca declared. “The whole team is delighted.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has featured in just four games in all tournaments, scoring twice.
Following his transfer from City in the previous year, he has notched 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 matches for the London club.
“He is our most valuable asset, we are pleased he is back, we need to allow him time to be 100% fit,” Maresca added. “He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”
2. Everton Get No Reason for Failed Gueye Dismissal Challenge
The Merseyside club were unsuccessful in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's dismissal for a fight with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's 1-0 victory at Manchester United.
The veteran Senegalese midfielder was shown a red card just early on into the contest after hitting Keane during a dispute over a poor pass.
The player promptly expressed regret, and the pair appeared reconciled afterwards in a light-hearted social media post.
However, the challenge against the dismissal was denied, and Gueye must complete a three-game ban, making Everton shorthanded for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle.
“We have appealed it and our appeal was turned down,” coach the manager said. “No explanation was provided for the rejection 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 swiftly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”
3. Yoane Wissa Trains with Newcastle for Initial Session since Injury
The club's recent signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the first time since suffering a knee problem shortly after his move from Brentford in the autumn.
Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on the end of the week but kept private a possible return date for the player.
The team signed the striker for £55m to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record transfer fee.
Regrettably, Wissa was injured 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 Wednesday, so I was extremely satisfied with how he looked,” Howe commented. “It was his initial competitive session with the team. Let’s see how he reacts today.”
The manager continued: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, 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 soon as possible.”
Additionally, Kieran Trippier will be sidelined for a four-week period with a hamstring issue.
4. Liverpool' Slump ‘Irrelevant’, Says West Ham Manager Nuno
The Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that the reigning champions' recent poor form “should not be a focus” as his team gets ready to take on the ailing top-flight champions.
The Liverpool manager's side has lost six of the last seven league matches, falling out of the upper half of the standings.
However, Nuno stressed that there can be no complacency when the teams meet on the weekend at the their home ground.
“Liverpool are a quality side 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 be ready.
“The history of the outcomes before, the performance of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the match day. Knowing that we are going to face a high-quality team, that has players able of doing wonderful things, so we have to prepare thoroughly, to challenge.”
West Ham will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their return from injury.
5. Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against The Seagulls
Nottingham Forest's boss Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be ready for the team's home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
The England international was absent for Thursday's Europa League match against Malmö due to a back injury.
“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche commented as he got ready to face Fabian Hürzeler's team, who have secured seven points from their last three matches.
“It’s similar to a sore back, but a waking-up 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 confident that it’ll be okay for the weekend.”
Murillo was feeling his hamstring after the 3-0 European win, but Dyche indicated the player “should be fine”.
Meanwhile, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and the defender (hip) are expected to miss out.
6. Oliver Glasner: European Loss Won't Set Back Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the disappointment of midweek's Conference League defeat to the French side is a sign of how far the team has come in challenging on two fronts.
The FA Cup holders went ahead at Stade de la Meinau through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were equalized against by Liam Rosenior's side, who moved up to second in the table.
The Eagles now return to domestic competition with a home fixture against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his side can keep up their push for a Champions League place.
“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault,” Glasner remarked. “On the other side, we have to take it on the chin. The commitment 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 Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who went off during the first half against Strasbourg, should be in the team selection.