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From the world of English football updates, a key midfielder was issued a substantial ban, a head coach has pointed out a defender's mistakes to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive improvements after an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game ban and a £15,000 penalty following misconduct in October's fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association said the player was referred an independent disciplinary panel following an incident of spitting towards away supporters around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A statement explained: “A Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during their top-flight game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that the player acted in breach of the rules of the game or in an improper manner by engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and a fine following proceedings. The panel's written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Prove an Argument

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is not an issue at team, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game in a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful team in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in their poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn display in central defence.

“We always talk about experience when 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 don’t win, people are constantly looking for the reason why, but in my view the reason why we lost against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it was because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one on our team on the pitch? Who was? Was he any good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has stated his team have learnt from a recent thriller at Fulham with the episode has now been forgotten. City held on for a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

This followed they resisted a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding whether they possess resilient enough to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Good lessons, hopefully. At this level, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to analyse what happened, so as not to concede so many goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see our versions, correct? Therefore, we have done many good things. But the number of shots on target did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded is is high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“The initial few days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was much better than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that we would want to extend Tino’s deal and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the home game with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for at least another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when they face Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension for the red card against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it will not happen again as he himself admitted the error. We spoke internally. I am positive it is over and it will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the intense strain on his side, who are 18th ahead of the weekend matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's the situation. We must face it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when the club's usual frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the opener versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 win which preserved {their|