🔗 Share this article

In the latest English football developments, a key midfielder has been given a significant ban, a manager has singled to a defender's errors to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment following a wild victory.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Ban and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game ban and a financial fine following improper behaviour in October's fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association said Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission following allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting fans at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A release read: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during their top-flight game against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the rules of the game and/or in an improper way by engaging in abusive and indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League table, visit 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Prove a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no a problem for his club, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from having poorly in the defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in the poor result. He made his case by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player on the pitch, who produced an error-strewn display in central defence.

“People always talk about experience when we drop points,” Maresca stated. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced players. I know that when we don’t win, people are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view why we lost against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who is the most senior player on our team on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have taken lessons from a midweek scare at Fulham and the game has now been in the past. City survived for a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they resisted a comeback and won 3-2 in the previous game, it raised further doubts about if they are resilient enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Good learnings, I hope. At this level, for every team, one must learn from what happens in the good things and results and think of what's next.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand what happened, to not concede so many goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and five against Fulham you can see our versions, right? Therefore, we have done many good things. Yet how many attempts did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. And shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to be better.”

Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali has a contract extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's talks have assumed a certain importance.

“My first few days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is much more secure than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for at least a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when they play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban following a red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it won't happen again because he personally acknowledged his mistake. We spoke about it internally. I believe it is over and will not be repeated.”

He also understands the significant pressure facing his team, currently 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It is a reality. We have to confront it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker despite their regular frontmen return from injury. Merino has been deployed as an emergency No 9 because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 win which preserved {their|