🔗 Share this article

This week's English football news, a significant midfielder was issued a lengthy ban, a head coach has pointed to a player's mistakes to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive improvements following an erratic win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game ban and a £15,000 fine following improper behaviour in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission following an incident where he spat in the direction of visiting fans around the 67th point during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A release explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during the Premier League match with Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he acted in breach of the laws of football and/or in an improper manner by using abusive and/or indecent conduct by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published at a later date.” The team, now 19th in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Prove an Argument

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is not an issue at team, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from having a bad game in a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in their poor result. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player on the pitch, who produced an error-strewn display at the back.

“People always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” the coach said. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older players. I understand that when we don’t win, people are constantly looking for the reason why, but I think the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one on our team in the match? Who was? Did he play good? So, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from a midweek thriller at Fulham with the game has now been in the past. City survived to claim a 5-4 win in a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes played.

This followed they resisted a fightback and won 3-2 in the prior game, it raised further doubts about whether they possess resilient enough to mount a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must take onboard both good and bad in the good things and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand what happened, so as not to concede the goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and five goals against Fulham it shows the two versions, right? So, always we have done plenty of good things. But how many shots on target had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda for the club. He arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“My first few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly more secure than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that we would want to renew Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to remain out for a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when they face Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension following a red card against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not happen again as he himself admitted the error. We spoke in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and it will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the intense pressure facing his team, who are 18th before Saturday's matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We have to face it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency No 9 due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s first goal versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|