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In the latest English football updates, a significant midfielder has been handed a lengthy suspension, a head coach has pointed to a defender's errors to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for defensive betterment after a chaotic win.

Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game ban and a financial penalty following misconduct in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri was referred an independent disciplinary panel after an incident where he spat towards visiting fans at the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in their Premier League game against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the rules of football and/or in an improper way by using offensive and unacceptable conduct through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match ban and a fine following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Prove an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is not a problem for his team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly during a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality played a part in their poor result. He presented his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“People always talk about a lack of experience after we drop points,” the coach said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that when we don’t win, people are constantly looking for the reason why, but in my view why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who is the most senior player on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Was he any good? So, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have taken lessons from a midweek scare at Fulham and the game is now in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 win during a incredible clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

This followed they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the prior fixture, prompting more questions regarding if they possess the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, one must take onboard what happens in the good things and results and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to analyse the cause, so as not to concede the goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham you can see our versions, right? Therefore, always we have done plenty of good things. But the number of attempts had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So, the average of shots conceded is too high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions with key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a contract that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to prioritise talks with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with some importance.

“My first few days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that we would want to renew Tino’s deal and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the home game with Burnley on Saturday, and he likely to remain out for at least another week.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side face Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it will not happen again as he himself admitted his mistake. We spoke internally. I am positive it is over and it will not happen again.”

He also understands the intense pressure on his side, who are in the relegation zone before the weekend fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must face it. We are fighting for survival. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite their regular frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as an emergency No 9 because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 win that maintained {their|