🔗 Share this article

This week's English football news, a notable midfielder was given a lengthy suspension, a manager has pointed out a defender's errors to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive improvements following a wild victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match suspension and a financial penalty following improper behaviour during October's fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission after allegations of spitting towards away supporters at the 67th mark of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A statement explained: “A Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in the Premier League game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the laws of football and/or in a poor way by using abusive and indecent behaviour by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, with the panel imposed a four-match ban and a fine after proceedings. The panel's full explanation for its decisions will be published at a later date.” The team, currently 19th in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is no a problem for his club, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from having a bad game in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality played a part in the poor result. He made his case by singling out Tosin, the oldest player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn display at the back.

“We always mention experience when we fail to win,” the coach said. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced players. I understand that if we lose, people are always looking for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player for us in the match? Who was? Was he 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 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have taken lessons from their midweek scare at Fulham and the game has now been in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 win in a incredible encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the previous game, it raised further doubts regarding if they are the defensive steel required to mount a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Good lessons, I hope. At this level, for every team, one must take onboard both good and bad in the good things and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse the cause, so as not to concede so many goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and five against Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? So, always done plenty of good things. But the number of attempts did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is too high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

“My first few days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s deal was significantly more secure than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club would want to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the match with Burnley this 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 stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side face Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am confident it won't happen again as he personally admitted the error. We spoke in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the intense strain on his side, who are 18th ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It is a reality. We must confront it. We're fighting for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite their regular frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|