Premier League News: Mejbri Banned for Misconduct; City Boss Says 'Back Line Must Improve'

This week's English football developments, a significant midfielder has been issued a significant suspension, a manager has pointed to a defender's mistakes to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive improvements following a chaotic victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game suspension and a financial penalty following improper behaviour during a recent fixture against Leeds United. The governing body said Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission following allegations where he spat towards away fans around the 67th point during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement said: “A disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during the Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved against the rules of the game and/or in a poor manner and/or engaging in abusive and/or indecent conduct through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-game suspension and £15,000 following proceedings. The panel's full explanation for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League table, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is no a problem for his team, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from having poorly during the defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, does not feel that inexperience played a part in their setback. He made his case by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player on the pitch, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“People always talk about a lack of experience when we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, we are constantly looking for the reason why, but in my view why we lost against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one for us in the match? Who was? Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have learnt from their midweek scare at Fulham and the game is now in the past. The team survived for a 5-4 win in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

This followed they resisted a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in their previous fixture, it raised more questions about whether City possess resilient enough to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must take onboard what happens performances and results and think of what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see our versions, correct? So, always done many good things. But how many attempts did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded we can see too high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal extending to 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's talks are being treated with a certain urgency.

“My first three or four days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is much more secure than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is well known that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for at least another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start when the side face Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension following a sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not be repeated as he himself admitted his mistake. We discussed it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the intense pressure facing his team, currently 18th ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must confront it. We're fighting for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|