🔗 Share this article

In the latest English football news, a notable midfielder was handed a substantial ban, a head coach has pointed to a player's mistakes to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment following a wild win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-game suspension and a financial penalty for misconduct in October's match against Leeds United. The Football Association said the player faced an independent disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting supporters at the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A release explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during their top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved against the laws of football and/or in a poor way by using offensive and indecent conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match ban and a fine after a hearing. The panel's written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” The team, currently in 19th place in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Make an Argument

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is not an issue for his club, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent him from playing a bad game in the defeat to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in their poor result. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, who delivered an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“We always mention a lack of experience when we drop points,” the coach said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, we are always looking for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one for us in the match? Who was? Did he play good? So, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have taken lessons from their midweek thriller against Fulham and the episode is now in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a comeback and won 3-2 in their prior fixture, prompting further doubts regarding if they possess resilient required to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Good learnings, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see our sides, correct? So, we have we have done many positive things. Yet the number of shots on target did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. How many attempts for Fulham ? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded is too high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed a certain urgency.

“The initial few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that the club wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

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

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for they face Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban for the red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it won't be repeated as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it internally. I believe it is over and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also acknowledged the intense pressure facing his team, who are 18th before the weekend matches. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We must face it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift No 9 because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|