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In the latest English football news, a key player has been handed a substantial suspension, a manager has singled to a player's mistakes to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive improvements following a wild win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Ban and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-game suspension and a financial fine for improper behaviour in a recent match against Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission following allegations where he spat towards visiting supporters around the 67th point during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A release explained: “A Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in the Premier League match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player acted in breach of the rules of the game or in an improper way and/or using offensive and indecent behaviour by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and £15,000 after a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions are to be released in due course.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Errors to Make an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is not a problem for his club, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly in the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality played a part in the poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest outfield player on the pitch, after he delivered a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“We always talk about experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was talking about older personnel. I understand that when we don’t win, people are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we lost against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

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

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have taken lessons from their recent scare at Fulham and the game is now in the past. City survived to claim a 5-4 victory during a incredible clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about an hour played.

This followed they resisted a comeback to win 3-2 in the previous game, it raised further doubts about whether City possess the defensive steel enough to mount a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and results and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We try to understand the cause, to not allow the goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and five goals by Fulham you can see our versions, correct? Therefore, we have we have done plenty of good things. Yet the number of attempts did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not good. How many shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded is too high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is much more secure than I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that the club wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match against Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to remain sidelined for at least another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban for the red card he received Liverpool.

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

Nuno also understands the significant pressure on his side, currently in the relegation zone before the weekend fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We must confront it. We're battling for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular strikers return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency number nine due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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