🔗 Share this article

First Story: Key Player Palmer Fit for Important Capital Clash with Arsenal

The Blues head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the team's vital Premier League match against local opponents Arsenal.

The 23-year-old English international had been sidelined due to a broken toe incurred after an accidental incident.

“He is ready to start and participate,” Maresca commented. “All involved are pleased.”

In the current campaign, Palmer has made only four appearances in all tournaments, netting two goals.

Following his transfer from Manchester 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 completely ready,” Maresca added. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”

Second Story: Everton Receive No Explanation for Rejected Gueye Dismissal Appeal

Everton were unsuccessful in their protest against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for a physical confrontation with teammate Michael Keane during the team's 1-0 victory at Manchester United.

The 36-year-old Senegalese midfielder was sent off only early on into the game after striking Keane amid a dispute over a poor pass.

The player quickly said sorry, and the teammates appeared reconciled afterwards in a light-hearted online post.

However, the challenge against the dismissal was denied, and Gueye must complete a three-game suspension, leaving Everton short-staffed for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle.

“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach the manager said. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down but we did appeal it.”

Inquired about additional consequences from the incident, Moyes remarked: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we moved on rapidly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”

3. Wissa Trains with Newcastle for First Time since Injury

The club's recent acquisition Yoane Wissa has trained with his new teammates for the initial occasion since sustaining a knee injury shortly after his arrival from Brentford in September.

Manager Eddie Howe confirmed the news on Friday but withheld a possible return date for the 29-year-old.

Newcastle signed the forward for £55m to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record sum.

Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on national team service before he could play his first game for his new club.

“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 added: “We have a target return date, but it’s likely best if I keep that to myself. We aim to avoid letting people down. Of course, we want to utilize him as soon as possible.”

In other news, the defender will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring injury.

Fourth Story: The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says Hammers Boss Nuno

West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Liverpool' dip in performance “should not be a focus” as his side prepares to take on the struggling Premier League champions.

Arne Slot's team has been defeated in six of their previous seven league games, falling out of the upper half of the table.

However, Nuno stressed that there can be no complacency when the sides meet on Sunday at the their home ground.

“Liverpool are a quality side and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno commented. “We anticipate facing the league champions, players that are talented and capable of doing great things, so we have to get ready.

“The past of the results before, the performance of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the match day. Aware 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 fitness issues.

Fifth Story: Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Nottingham Forest against Brighton

The club's boss Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the side's at home fixture against Brighton on Sunday.

The English international was absent for the midweek Europa League game against Malmö due to a back issue.

“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche commented as he got ready to face Fabian Hürzeler's team, who have taken a decent haul 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 too serious and it’s improving already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be right for the weekend.”

The defender was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring after the comfortable Europa League victory, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.

However, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and the defender (hip) are likely to miss out.

Sixth Story: Glasner: Conference League Defeat Will Not Hinder Palace

The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner feels that the disappointment of Thursday's European loss to the French side is a indication of how far the team has advanced in competing on multiple 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 runner-up in the table.

Crystal Palace now return to domestic action with a at Selhurst Park match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his side can maintain their push for a Champions League place.

“Comparable to the recent setback at Goodison Park, it just feels that it was totally avoidable and it is our fault,” Glasner said. “Alternatively, we have to accept it. The effort was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”

Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would be absent for Sunday's game after he did not travel to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who went off during the first half against Strasbourg, is expected to be in the matchday squad.