🔗 Share this article

From the world of English football news, a significant midfielder has been issued a lengthy suspension, a manager has pointed out a player's mistakes to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment after a chaotic victory.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine for improper behaviour during October's match versus Leeds United. The Football Association said the player faced an independent regulatory commission following allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting fans at the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A release said: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved in breach of the rules of the game or in a poor manner by engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-game ban and a fine following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is not an issue for his team, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent him from playing poorly during a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in the setback. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest outfield player in the lineup, who delivered an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“People always talk about experience when we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was mentioning experienced personnel. I know that if we lose, people are always searching for the reason why, but in my view why we lost to Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play good? So, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have taken lessons from their recent thriller at Fulham with the game is now in the past. The team held on to claim a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in their prior game, it raised more questions regarding whether City possess the defensive steel required to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he said. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must learn from both good and bad in the good things and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand the cause, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and the five against Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? So, we have we have done plenty of good things. But the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. How many attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded we can see is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Deals

The Magpies' new football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda for the club. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed some urgency.

“My first few days after starting is when I found that Sandro’s deal was significantly more secure than I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we would want to renew Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the home game against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to be sidelined for at least another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start when they face Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension following a red card he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am confident it will not happen again because he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the intense pressure facing his team, currently in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We have to confront it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen return from injury. Merino has been deployed as an emergency No 9 because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|