🔗 Share this article

1. Key Talent Palmer Fit for High-Stakes Capital Clash with The Gunners

The Blues head coach Enzo Maresca stated on the final weekday that Cole Palmer is available for selection for the squad's significant top-flight encounter against local rivals Arsenal.

The young England midfielder was out of action due to a broken toe sustained after an accidental occurrence.

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

This season, Palmer has been limited to four outings across all competitions, scoring twice.

Following his transfer from City in 2023, he has recorded 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 games for Chelsea.

“He is our best player, we are delighted he is back, we need to allow him time to be completely ready,” 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.”

Second Story: Everton Get No Explanation for Failed Idrissa Gueye Dismissal Appeal

The Merseyside club have failed in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for a physical confrontation with fellow player Michael Keane during the team's narrow win at Manchester United.

The veteran Senegalese player was sent off only 13 minutes into the match after slapping Keane amid a dispute over a misplaced pass.

The player promptly expressed regret, and the pair appeared making up later in a mock online video.

However, the challenge against the red card was denied, and Gueye must complete a three-game ban, making Everton depleted for their next fixture against Newcastle United.

“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 any further fallout from the incident, Moyes continued: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we moved on quite quickly and it was all sorted within the team environment.”

Third Story: Wissa Trains with Newcastle for First Time since Setback

The club's new signing Yoane Wissa has trained with his new teammates for the initial occasion since suffering a knee injury soon after his arrival from Brentford in September.

Manager Eddie Howe announced the development on Friday but withheld a potential comeback timeline for the 29-year-old.

Newcastle brought in the striker for £55m to fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a British record sum.

Regrettably, Wissa was hurt while on national team service before he could make his debut for his new club.

“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. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he reacts today.”

The manager added: “We have a target return date, but it’s probably best if I do not share it publicly. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. Naturally, we want to utilize him as promptly.”

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 insisted that Liverpool' dip in performance “should not be a focus” as his team prepares to take on the struggling top-flight champions.

Arne Slot's side has suffered six losses in seven recent league matches, dropping out of the upper half of the standings.

Nevertheless, Nuno emphasized that there can be no taking it easy when the teams clash on Sunday at the their home ground.

“The Reds are a strong 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 fantastic things, so we have to be ready.

“The history of the outcomes before, the performance of the teams, is not that important. It is about the day. Knowing that we are going to face a very good team, that has players able of doing wonderful things, so we have to prepare thoroughly, to challenge.”

The Hammers will have available Lucas Paquetá after his suspension, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their return from injury.

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

Nottingham Forest's manager Sean Dyche is optimistic that Morgan Gibbs-White will be ready for the side's home match against Brighton & Hove Albion on the weekend.

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

“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche stated as he prepared to face the Brighton manager's side, who have taken a decent haul from their past three matches.

“It’s like a bad back, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or twist funny. So we’re not expecting, at this point anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s settling down already. So we’re confident that it’ll be right for the weekend.”

Murillo was feeling his hamstring after the 3-0 European win, but Dyche said the player “will likely be available”.

However, Ola Aina (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), Chris Wood (knee), and the defender (hip) are likely to be unavailable.

6. Glasner: European Defeat Will Not Hinder Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner feels that the setback of midweek's Conference League loss to Strasbourg is a sign of how much progress the club has come in challenging on two fronts.

The FA Cup holders went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were equalized against by the opposition manager's side, who moved up to runner-up in the group standings.

Crystal Palace now switch focus to domestic action with a at Selhurst Park fixture against Manchester United, and Glasner is optimistic his team can maintain their challenge for a Champions League spot.

“Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was totally avoidable and it is our fault,” Glasner remarked. “Alternatively, we have to accept it. The commitment was there but it is a game we could have avoided losing.”

Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would not be available for the weekend's match 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 team selection.