English Football News: Mejbri Banned for Spitting; City Boss Insists 'Defence Has to Get Better'

From the world of top-flight developments, a significant player has been issued a significant ban, a manager has pointed out a defender's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive betterment after a chaotic win.

Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-match suspension and a financial penalty following improper behaviour during October's fixture against Leeds United. The governing body said Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting fans at the 67th point of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA release explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during the top-flight game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that the player acted against the rules of football or in a poor manner by using abusive and unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and a fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published at a later date.” The team, currently 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not an issue at club, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent him from having a bad game during a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience played a part in the setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player on the pitch, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“We always talk about a lack of experience after we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we beat Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was talking about older players. I understand that if we don’t win, people are always searching for the reason why, but in my view why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have learnt from a recent thriller at Fulham with the episode has now been in the past. The team held on to claim a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in the previous game, it raised more questions regarding if they possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he commented. “Good learnings, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from what happens performances and results and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand the cause, so as not to concede so many goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and five goals by Fulham you can see the two versions, right? Therefore, always we have done many positive things. Yet the number of attempts did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded is is high. We have to be better.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise talks for 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 efforts are being treated with a certain urgency.

“The initial three or four days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman against the match against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to be sidelined for a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for they play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension following a red card he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it won't happen again because he personally acknowledged the error. We discussed it internally. I am positive it is over and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the significant strain facing his team, currently 18th ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency No 9 because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|