🔗 Share this article

1. Top Player Palmer Fit for Crucial Capital Derby with The Gunners

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is set to return for the squad's significant top-flight fixture against local opponents Arsenal.

The young England midfielder was unavailable due to a broken toe suffered after an unfortunate occurrence.

“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca declared. “Everyone is happy.”

This season, Palmer has been limited to four outings across all competitions, finding the net on two occasions.

Following his transfer from City in 2023, he has recorded 45 strikes and 29 setups in 101 matches for Chelsea.

“He is our top performer, we are happy he is back, we need to allow him time to be fully fit,” Maresca noted. “His past performances have been excellent and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”

2. Everton Receive No Explanation for Failed Idrissa Gueye Dismissal Appeal

Everton were unsuccessful in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for a fight with fellow player Michael Keane during the squad's 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.

The 36-year-old Senegal midfielder was dismissed just early on into the match after hitting Keane during a dispute over a misplaced pass.

The player immediately apologized, and the pair appeared reconciled afterwards in a light-hearted online post.

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

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

When asked about more issues from the incident, Moyes added: “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 Practices 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 soon after his move from his former club in September.

Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on the end of the week but kept private a potential return date for the 29-year-old.

Newcastle brought in the striker for £55m to replace Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a record-breaking sum.

Unfortunately, Wissa was injured while on international duty before he could play his first game for Newcastle.

“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was extremely satisfied with how he looked,” Howe commented. “That’s his first time competitively with the group. Let’s see how he responds today.”

The manager continued: “We’ve got [a return date] in mind, but it’s probably best if I withhold that information. We wish to prevent any disappointment. Of course, we want to utilize him as promptly.”

In other news, the defender will be out of action for a month with a hamstring injury.

4. The Reds' Poor Form ‘Irrelevant’, Insists Hammers Manager Nuno

The Hammers head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has claimed that the reigning champions' dip in performance “doesn’t really matter” as his side gets ready to take on the ailing top-flight title holders.

The Liverpool manager's side has lost six of the last seven league matches, dropping out of the top 10 of the standings.

However, Nuno stressed that there can be no room for overconfidence when the sides meet on Sunday at the London Stadium.

“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what matters is what you do on the day,” Nuno said. “We anticipate facing the league champions, players that are talented and capable of doing fantastic things, so we have to prepare.

“The past of the results before, the form of the teams, doesn’t really matter. It is about the day. Aware that we are going to face a high-quality team, that has players capable of doing amazing feats, so we have to be fully prepared, to perform.”

West Ham will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are stepping up their return from injury.

5. Morgan Gibbs-White in Contention for Nottingham Forest against Brighton

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

The England international missed the midweek European game against the Swedish side due to a back issue.

“We hope it is improving,” Dyche said as he prepared to face the Brighton manager's team, who have secured seven points from their last three outings.

“It’s comparable to back pain, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just rest awkwardly or twist funny. So we’re not anticipating, at this stage anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s settling down already. So we’re confident that it’ll be okay for the weekend.”

Murillo was feeling his hamstring muscle after the comfortable Europa League victory, but Dyche indicated the player “should be fine”.

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

Sixth Story: Oliver Glasner: Conference League Loss Will Not Set Back Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the setback of Thursday's European defeat to Strasbourg is a indication of how much progress the team has advanced in competing on two fronts.

The FA Cup holders took the lead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were pegged back by Liam Rosenior's team, who climbed to second in the group standings.

The Eagles now return to Premier League action with a at Selhurst Park fixture against Manchester United, and Glasner is confident his team can keep up their challenge for a top four place.

“Comparable to the recent setback at Goodison Park, it just feels that it was totally avoidable and it is our fault,” Glasner commented. “However, we have to acknowledge it. The effort was there but it is a game we could have avoided losing.”

Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would miss out for Sunday's game after he stayed behind to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who went off during the opening period against Strasbourg, is expected to be in the matchday squad.