Premier League News: Mejbri Banned for Spitting; Guardiola Says 'Defence Must Get Better'

In the latest English football developments, a notable midfielder has been issued a substantial suspension, a head coach has singled out a player's mistakes to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline improvements following a wild win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match suspension and a financial penalty for improper behaviour during a recent match versus Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player was referred a separate disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting towards visiting supporters around the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A release read: “A disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in their top-flight game with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved against the laws of the game or in a poor manner by engaging in abusive and unacceptable conduct by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement added, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction will be published in due course.” The team, currently in 19th place in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

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

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is not a problem for his team, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game during a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience played a part in the poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced player in the lineup, who delivered a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“We always talk about experience after we drop points,” the coach stated. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that when we don’t win, people are constantly looking for the reason why, but in my view why we lost against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have taken lessons from a recent thriller at Fulham and the episode has now been forgotten. City held on for a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a comeback to win 3-2 in their prior game, it raised more questions about whether they possess the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Good lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse the cause, to not allow the goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see our sides, right? Therefore, always we have done plenty of good things. Yet the number of attempts did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a contract that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

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

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the match with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to remain out for a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it will not be repeated as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the significant pressure facing his team, currently in the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must face it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when their regular frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency number nine because of fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the opener versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second goal in a 2-0 win that maintained {their|