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This week's English football updates, a notable midfielder was issued a lengthy ban, a manager has pointed out a defender's mistakes to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive betterment following an erratic win.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine following misconduct during a recent fixture against Leeds United. The governing body said the player was referred an independent disciplinary panel following allegations where he spat in the direction of visiting fans around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A statement explained: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in their Premier League game against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved against the laws of football or in a poor manner and/or using abusive and unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, and the panel imposed a four-game ban and a fine after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Make a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is not a problem at club, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent him from having a bad game in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the youngest squad in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality played a part in the setback. He presented his case by criticising Tosin, the most experienced outfield player in the lineup, who delivered an error-strewn display in central defence.

“We always talk about a lack of experience when we fail to win,” the coach stated. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I understand that when we lose, people are always looking for an explanation, but I think why we lost against Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? So, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 men, they were not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have taken lessons from their midweek scare against Fulham and the game is now in the past. The team held on to claim a 5-4 victory in a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in their previous game, prompting further doubts regarding whether they are the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Good learnings, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard both good and bad performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“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 by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham you can see the two versions, correct? Therefore, always done many positive things. But the number of attempts did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. And shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's talks have assumed some importance.

“The initial three or four days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is significantly better than I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the home game with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for at least a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start when they face Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it won't be repeated because he personally acknowledged his mistake. We spoke in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not happen again.”

He also understands the significant pressure facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before the weekend matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's the situation. We have to confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite the club's usual strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency No 9 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 that maintained {their|