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This week's English football news, a key midfielder has been given a lengthy ban, a manager has singled out a defender's mistakes to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline improvements after a chaotic victory.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game ban and a £15,000 penalty for misconduct during October's fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel following an incident where he spat towards visiting supporters around the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during the top-flight game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he acted against the rules of football or in an improper manner by using offensive and/or indecent behaviour through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-game ban and a fine following a hearing. The panel's full explanation for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” The team, now 19th in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is not an issue for his club, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from having a bad game during the loss against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in the poor result. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest outfield player in the lineup, after he delivered an error-strewn performance at the back.

“People always mention a lack of experience after we drop points,” Maresca stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced players. I understand that when we don’t win, we are constantly looking for the reason why, but I think why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

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

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have taken lessons from their recent scare against Fulham with the episode is now forgotten. City survived to claim a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about an hour played.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in the previous game, prompting more questions regarding if City are resilient required to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Valuable learnings, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse the cause, to not allow the goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see our sides, correct? So, always we have done many positive things. Yet the number of attempts did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded we can see too high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly better than I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are underway.”

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

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when they play Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension following a red card against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am confident it won't happen again as he personally admitted the error. We spoke in the dressing room. I believe it is over and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the intense pressure facing his team, currently in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend matches. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We must confront it. We're battling for survival. We cannot hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular strikers are fit again. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine because of injuries 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 their second goal in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|