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First Story: Top Player Palmer Ready for Crucial London Clash with Arsenal

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

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

“He is available to start and to play,” Maresca said. “All involved are pleased.”

This season, Palmer has made only four appearances in every contest, netting two goals.

Following his transfer from Manchester City in 2023, he has notched 45 scores and 29 helpers in 101 matches for the London club.

“He is our best player, we are pleased he is back, we need to give him time to be fully fit,” Maresca added. “He has been brilliant historically and no doubt he is going to do great things for this club in the future.”

2. The Toffees Get No Explanation for Rejected Idrissa Gueye Red Card Challenge

The Merseyside club have failed in their protest against Idrissa Gueye's sending off for an on-field altercation with teammate Michael Keane during the team's narrow win at Manchester United.

The veteran Senegal player was dismissed only 13 minutes into the contest after striking Keane during a disagreement over a misplaced pass.

Gueye quickly said sorry, and the teammates appeared making up later in a mock social media post.

However, the challenge against the dismissal was turned down, and Gueye must serve a three-game suspension, leaving Everton depleted for their next fixture against Newcastle United.

“We have appealed it and our appeal was turned down,” manager the manager said. “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 added: “It ended right away, it was done, that was it, we progressed quite quickly and it was all sorted within the dressing room.”

3. Wissa Practices with Newcastle for Initial Session since Injury

Newcastle United's recent acquisition Yoane Wissa has trained with his squad for the initial occasion since suffering a knee problem shortly after his move from Brentford in September.

Head coach Eddie Howe announced the news on the end of the week but did not disclose a potential return date for the player.

The team brought in the striker for a significant fee to replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for a record-breaking sum.

Regrettably, Wissa was hurt while on national team duty before he could play his first game for his new club.

“His recovery is going smoothly, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday, so I was really pleased with how he looked,” Howe stated. “This marked his debut in a competitive setting with the squad. Let’s see how he reacts today.”

The manager continued: “There is a planned comeback timeline, but it’s likely best if I do not share it publicly. We don’t want to disappoint anyone. Naturally, we want to utilize him as quickly.”

Additionally, Kieran Trippier will be sidelined for a month with a hamstring issue.

4. The Reds' Poor Form ‘Doesn’t Matter’, Says West Ham Boss Nuno

The Hammers manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that the reigning champions' dip in performance “is largely irrelevant” as his team prepares to face the ailing Premier League champions.

Arne Slot's team has lost six of the last seven league games, dropping out of the upper half of the standings.

However, Nuno highlighted that there can be no taking it easy when the teams meet on the weekend at the London Stadium.

“Liverpool are a quality side 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 able of doing great things, so we have to prepare.

“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 high-quality team, that has players able of doing amazing feats, so we have to be fully prepared, to compete.”

West Ham will welcome back Lucas Paquetá after his ban, while Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos are progressing in their return from fitness issues.

5. Morgan Gibbs-White Could Feature for Forest against The Seagulls

Nottingham Forest's boss Sean Dyche is hopeful that Morgan Gibbs-White will be available for the side's at home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

The England player was absent for Thursday's European match against the Swedish side due to a back injury.

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

“It’s like a bad back, but a morning sort of injury, one where you just sleep funny or move improperly. So we’re not anticipating, at this point anyway, that it’s too serious and it’s easing already. So we’re hopeful that it’ll be fine for the weekend.”

Murillo was feeling his hamstring after the 3-0 Europa League victory, but Dyche indicated the player “will likely be available”.

However, Ola Aina (thigh injury), the midfielder (thigh), Dilane Bakwa (hamstring), the striker (knee), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) are likely to be unavailable.

6. Glasner: Conference League Defeat Will Not Hinder Crystal Palace

The Eagles manager Oliver Glasner believes that the disappointment of midweek's European loss to Strasbourg is a indication of how far the team has come 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 Liam Rosenior's side, who climbed to runner-up in the table.

Crystal Palace now switch focus to Premier League competition with a at Selhurst Park match against Manchester United, and Glasner is confident his side can keep up 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. “However, we have to take it on the chin. The commitment was there but it is a game we ought not to have lost.”

Glasner confirmed that Borna Sosa would miss out for the weekend's match after he stayed behind to Strasbourg, but Will Hughes, who was substituted during the first half against Strasbourg, should be in the matchday squad.