🔗 Share this article

First Story: Top Player Palmer Available for High-Stakes London Clash with Arsenal

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated on Friday that Cole Palmer is ready to play for the squad's vital top-flight encounter against London rivals Arsenal.

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

“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca commented. “Everyone is happy.”

This season, Palmer has made only four appearances across all competitions, scoring twice.

After joining from Manchester City in 2023, he has achieved 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 appearances for Chelsea.

“He is our top performer, we are happy he is back, we need to allow him time to be completely ready,” Maresca added. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do exceptionally well for this club in the future.”

2. The Toffees Get No Reason for Rejected Gueye Dismissal Challenge

The Merseyside club were unsuccessful in their appeal against Idrissa Gueye's red card for a fight with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.

The veteran Senegalese midfielder was dismissed just 13 minutes into the game after slapping Keane amid a argument over a misplaced pass.

The player quickly said sorry, and the pair were seen making up later in a mock online video.

However, the challenge against the red card was turned down, and Gueye must serve a three-match ban, making Everton shorthanded for their upcoming match against Newcastle United.

“We have appealed it and our appeal was turned down,” coach the manager revealed. “We haven’t been given any reason why it was turned down but we did appeal it.”

Inquired about any further fallout from the event, Moyes continued: “The matter was resolved instantly, it was done, that was it, we moved on swiftly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”

3. Wissa Trains with The Magpies for First Time since Setback

Newcastle United's new acquisition Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the initial occasion since suffering a knee injury soon after his move from his former club in the autumn.

Manager Eddie Howe announced the news on the end of the week but withheld a possible return date for the 29-year-old.

Newcastle brought in the striker for a significant fee to replace Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a record-breaking transfer fee.

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. “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 probably best if I withhold that information. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Naturally, we want to include him as quickly.”

In other news, Kieran Trippier will be sidelined for a month with a hamstring issue.

Fourth Story: Liverpool' Slump ‘Irrelevant’, Insists West Ham Manager Nuno

West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that the reigning champions' current slump “is largely irrelevant” as his team prepares to face the struggling top-flight champions.

Arne Slot's team has suffered six losses in seven recent league games, falling out of the top 10 of the standings.

Nevertheless, Nuno stressed that there can be no taking it easy when the teams meet on Sunday at the London Stadium.

“Liverpool is a good team 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 fantastic things, so we have to be ready.

“The history of the results before, the form of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the match day. Knowing that we are going to face a excellent team, that has players capable of doing wonderful things, so we have to be fully prepared, to compete.”

West Ham will have available Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their recovery from fitness issues.

5. Morgan Gibbs-White in Contention 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 & Hove Albion on the weekend.

The English player missed Thursday's Europa League match against the Swedish side due to a back issue.

“We hope it is improving,” Dyche said as he got ready to face the Brighton manager's side, who have secured a decent haul from their past three outings.

“It’s similar to a sore back, but a waking-up sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or move improperly. So we’re not expecting, at this stage anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s easing already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be right for the weekend.”

Murillo was experiencing discomfort in his hamstring muscle after the 3-0 Europa League victory, but Dyche said the player “should be fine”.

Meanwhile, the full-back (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are expected to miss out.

Sixth Story: Glasner: European Defeat Will Not Set Back Palace

The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner feels that the disappointment of Thursday's Conference League defeat to Strasbourg is a sign of how much progress the team has advanced in competing 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 runner-up in the group standings.

Crystal Palace now return to Premier League action with a home match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is confident his team can maintain 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 remarked. “Alternatively, we have to acknowledge it. The commitment was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”

Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would not be available for the weekend's game after he stayed behind to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who went off during the first half against the opponents, is expected to be in the matchday squad.