First Story: Key Talent Palmer Available for Crucial Capital Clash with The Gunners
The Blues manager Enzo Maresca announced on Friday that Cole Palmer is available for selection for the squad's significant Premier League match against local opponents Arsenal.
The 23-year-old England international was out of action due to a fractured toe suffered after an unfortunate incident.
“He is fit to begin and feature,” Maresca commented. “All involved are pleased.”
In the current campaign, Palmer has featured in just four games in every contest, netting two goals.
Following his transfer from City in the previous year, he has achieved 45 goals and 29 assists in 101 matches for the London club.
“He is our best player, we are pleased he is back, we need to allow him time to be 100% fit,” Maresca noted. “He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very good for this club in the future.”
2. The Toffees Get No Explanation for Failed Idrissa Gueye Dismissal Challenge
The Merseyside club have failed in their challenge against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for a physical confrontation with teammate Michael Keane during the squad's single-goal triumph at Old Trafford.
The veteran Senegalese midfielder was dismissed just early on into the match after hitting Keane amid a argument over a poor pass.
The player promptly expressed regret, and the teammates appeared reconciled later in a mock social media post.
However, the challenge against the dismissal was denied, and Gueye must complete a three-game ban, making Everton short-staffed for their upcoming fixture against Newcastle United.
“We lodged an appeal and it was unsuccessful,” coach David Moyes stated. “No explanation was provided for the rejection but we did appeal it.”
When asked about more issues 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 dressing room.”
Third Story: Yoane Wissa Trains with The Magpies for First Time since Setback
The club's new signing Yoane Wissa has practiced with his squad for the first time since suffering a knee injury soon after his move from his former club in September.
Manager Eddie Howe announced the development on Friday but kept private a possible return date for the player.
Newcastle brought in the forward for £55m to replace 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 progressing nicely, he trained with us for the first time on midweek, so I was extremely satisfied with how he looked,” Howe said. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he responds today.”
The manager continued: “We have a target return date, but it’s likely best if I keep that to myself. We aim to avoid letting people down. Naturally, we want to include him as promptly.”
Additionally, the defender will be out of action for a four-week period with a hamstring issue.
4. Liverpool' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Insists Hammers Boss Nuno
West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has insisted that the reigning champions' recent poor form “doesn’t really matter” as his team gets ready to take on the ailing Premier League title holders.
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 taking it easy when the teams meet on Sunday at the London Stadium.
“The Reds are a strong team and in football, what counts is what you do on the day,” Nuno said. “We are preparing to play the title winners, players that are skilled and capable of doing good things, so we have to get ready.
“The history of the results before, the form of the teams, is largely insignificant. 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 stepping up their return from injury.
Fifth Story: Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Nottingham Forest against Brighton
Nottingham Forest's manager Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the team's at home fixture against Brighton on the weekend.
The England international missed Thursday's European game against Malmö due to a back issue.
“Hopefully it’s settling down,” Dyche stated as he got ready to face Fabian Hürzeler's side, who have taken seven points from their last three matches.
“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 expecting, at this point anyway, that it’s very severe and it’s improving already. So we’re confident that it’ll be right for the weekend.”
Murillo was feeling his hamstring after the 3-0 Europa League victory, but Dyche said the player “is expected to be okay”.
Meanwhile, the full-back (thigh injury), Douglas Luiz (thigh), the winger (hamstring), the striker (knee), and the defender (hip) are likely to be unavailable.
Sixth Story: Glasner: European Defeat Won't Hinder Crystal Palace
The Eagles head coach Oliver Glasner believes that the setback of midweek's Conference League defeat to Strasbourg is a indication of how much progress the team has advanced in challenging on two fronts.
The FA Cup winners went ahead at the away ground through Tyrick Mitchell's first-half goal but were equalized against by the opposition manager's team, who moved up to runner-up in the table.
The Eagles now switch focus to domestic action with a home match against the Red Devils, and Glasner is optimistic his team can keep up their challenge for a Champions League spot.
“Similar to the late loss against Everton, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault,” Glasner commented. “On the other side, we have to take it on the chin. The commitment was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”
Glasner stated that Borna Sosa would miss out for Sunday's match after he stayed behind to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the first half against the opponents, is expected to be in the matchday squad.
