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From the world of English football updates, a key midfielder was issued a lengthy suspension, a manager has singled out a player's errors to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive betterment following an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match suspension and a financial fine following misconduct in a recent match against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri was referred an independent disciplinary panel following an incident where he spat in the direction of away supporters at the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A statement said: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in the Premier League match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the rules of the game and/or in a poor way and/or engaging in offensive and unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and £15,000 after proceedings. The panel's full explanation for the sanction are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently in 19th place in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Make a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is no a problem for his team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from playing poorly in the loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the division, does not feel that mentality played a part in their setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, who delivered an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“We always talk about a lack of experience after we drop points,” the coach said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was talking about older personnel. I know that when we don’t win, people are constantly searching for the reason why, but I think why we lost against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the oldest one for us in the match? Who was? Was he any good? So, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have learnt from their midweek scare against Fulham with the game is now in the past. City held on for a 5-4 victory in a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in the previous game, prompting further doubts regarding if they are the defensive steel enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse what happened, to not allow the goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and the five against Fulham it shows our versions, right? Therefore, always done plenty of good things. But how many attempts had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded is is high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's talks have assumed a certain urgency.

“The initial few days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly more secure than the one I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we would want to renew Tino’s contract and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

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

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

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

He also acknowledged the intense pressure on his side, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We're battling for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when the club's usual strikers return from injury. Merino has been playing as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|