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From the world of English football updates, a notable midfielder has been given a lengthy ban, a head coach has pointed to a player's mistakes to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline betterment after a chaotic win.

Mejbri Given Four-Match Ban and Fine

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-game ban and a financial penalty for misconduct in October's fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated the player was referred an independent disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting in the direction of away supporters at the 67th mark during a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA release explained: “A Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during the top-flight match against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player acted in breach of the rules of the game and/or in an improper manner and/or using abusive and unacceptable behaviour by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, with the panel handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 following a hearing. The panel's written reasons for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the table, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is no a problem at team, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game during the loss against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in their poor result. He presented his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn display at the back.

“People always mention experience when we fail to win,” the coach stated. “When we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was mentioning older players. I know that if we lose, we are constantly searching for an explanation, but I think the reason why we lost to Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? Who was? Did he play good? So, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have learnt from their recent scare at Fulham with the game has now been in the past. The team survived to claim a 5-4 win during a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes played.

This followed they resisted a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in the previous game, prompting further doubts about whether they possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he commented. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from what happens in the good things and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand the cause, to not allow so many goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham it shows the two versions, right? Therefore, we have we have done many positive things. Yet the number of attempts did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded we can see is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with a certain importance.

“The initial few days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is significantly better than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman for the home game with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for a further period.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for they play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not happen again because he personally admitted the error. We spoke in the dressing room. I believe it is over and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant pressure on his side, who are in the relegation zone before the weekend fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We must confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual strikers return from injury. Merino has been playing as an emergency number nine due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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