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In the latest English football news, a key player was handed a substantial suspension, a manager has singled out a defender's errors to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive improvements following a chaotic victory.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game ban and a financial fine for improper behaviour in a recent match versus Leeds United. The governing body stated Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission after allegations of spitting in the direction of away supporters at the 67th point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA release explained: “A disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League match with Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved in breach of the rules of the game and/or in an improper way and/or using offensive and/or indecent conduct through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-match suspension and a fine after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Make a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is not an issue at team, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from playing poorly during a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest squad in the division, does not feel that mentality played a part in the poor result. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, the most experienced outfield player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“People always mention a lack of experience when we drop points,” Maresca stated. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, no one was talking about older personnel. I know that if we lose, we are always looking for an explanation, but I think the reason why we lost against Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the oldest one on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have taken lessons from their recent scare against Fulham with the episode has now been forgotten. The team held on for a 5-4 win during a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

This followed they resisted a fightback and won 3-2 in their previous game, prompting further doubts about whether City are resilient required to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from what happens performances and results and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand what happened, to not concede so many goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham it shows our sides, right? So, always done plenty of positive things. Yet the number of attempts had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. And attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded we can see too high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations involving important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 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, Newcastle's talks are being treated with a certain urgency.

“The initial three or four days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to renew Tino’s deal and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the match with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to remain sidelined for at least another week.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when they face Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension following a sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it won't be repeated as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the significant strain on his side, currently 18th before Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We must face it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency number nine because of fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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