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From the world of English football news, a notable player has been issued a lengthy suspension, a head coach has singled out a defender's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive betterment after a wild victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine for improper behaviour during October's fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed the player was referred a separate regulatory commission following an incident of spitting in the direction of visiting supporters at the 67th mark during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A statement read: “A disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in the top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he acted against the laws of football or in a poor way by using offensive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” The team, currently in 19th place in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is no an issue for his team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality played a part in their setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always mention a lack of experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced personnel. I know that if we lose, we are constantly looking for an explanation, but in my view why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Was he any good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have learnt from a midweek scare against Fulham and the game has now been forgotten. City held on for a 5-4 victory in a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

This followed they fought off a comeback to win 3-2 in the previous game, prompting further doubts regarding whether they are the defensive steel enough to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to learn from both good and bad in the good things and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see our versions, correct? Therefore, we have done plenty of good things. Yet how many shots on target had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. He arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's talks have assumed a certain urgency.

“The initial few days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is much more secure than I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that we wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman for the home game with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for at least another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for they face Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am confident it will not happen again because he himself admitted the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe it is over and will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the intense pressure facing his team, currently 18th ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We have to confront it. We are battling for survival. We cannot hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency number nine because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|