🔗 Share this article

This week's English football developments, a key midfielder has been handed a substantial suspension, a manager has pointed out a player's mistakes to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive improvements after a wild win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine for misconduct in a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association said Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel following an incident where he spat towards visiting fans at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A release read: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in their Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player acted in breach of the rules of the game and/or in a poor manner by engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable behaviour by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game suspension and £15,000 after a hearing. The panel's written reasons for the sanction will be published in due course.” The team, currently 19th in the Premier League table, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem for his team, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful team in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in the setback. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, who produced a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“People always mention a lack of experience after we drop points,” the coach stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was mentioning older personnel. I understand that when we lose, people are always searching for the reason why, but I think why we lost to Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player for us in the match? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have taken lessons from their recent scare against Fulham and the episode is now forgotten. City survived for a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in their prior game, it raised further doubts about whether they possess resilient required to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he commented. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. At this level, for every team, one must take onboard what happens in the good things and results and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse what happened, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? Therefore, we have done plenty of good things. But the number of shots on target had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. And attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded is is high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed some urgency.

“My first few days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is much better than I was expecting,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that the club wishes to renew Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman against the home game with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to be sidelined for at least a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am confident it will not happen again because he himself admitted the error. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the significant strain facing his team, who are 18th ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It's the situation. We have to confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when the club's usual strikers are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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