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In the latest English football updates, a notable midfielder was given a substantial ban, a head coach has singled to a player's mistakes to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline betterment after a wild victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match ban and a £15,000 penalty following misconduct during October's fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri faced an independent disciplinary panel following an incident of spitting towards away fans around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A statement explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League game against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved against the laws of the game or in an improper manner by engaging in offensive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the panel imposed a four-game suspension and a fine following proceedings. The panel's full explanation for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, currently 19th in the table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is not a problem at team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from having poorly in the defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful squad in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their poor result. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, after he delivered an error-strewn performance at the back.

“People always talk about experience when we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that if we lose, people are constantly searching for an explanation, but I think why we lost to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have learnt from a recent thriller against Fulham with the game has now been in the past. The team held on for a 5-4 victory in a incredible encounter on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a comeback and won 3-2 in the previous game, it raised further doubts regarding whether they possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he commented. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. At this level, for every team, you have to learn from both good and bad performances and results and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to understand what happened, so as not to concede so many goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and five against Fulham it shows the two versions, right? Therefore, we have done plenty of good things. But the number of attempts did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded is is high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's talks have assumed some urgency.

“The initial few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal was significantly better than I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club would want to renew Tino’s contract and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the match with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to be out for at least a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for the side face Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension following a sending-off against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it will not be repeated because he himself admitted his mistake. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the intense strain facing his team, who are 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We have to confront it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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