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In the latest English football developments, a notable player has been handed a significant ban, a manager has singled out a player's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment after a wild victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match ban and a financial fine for improper behaviour in a recent match versus Leeds United. The governing body said Mejbri faced a separate regulatory commission after allegations where he spat in the direction of away fans around the 67th point of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release read: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during their Premier League match against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the rules of football and/or in a poor manner and/or engaging in offensive and unacceptable conduct through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the panel imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 after a hearing. The panel's full explanation for the sanction will be published in due course.” The team, now in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Make a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is not an issue for his club, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful team in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in their poor result. He made his case by criticising Tosin, the oldest player on the pitch, who delivered an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“We always talk about experience after we drop points,” the coach stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that if we lose, we are constantly looking for an explanation, but in my view why we lost to Leeds is not because of the experience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one for us in the match? It was Tosin. Was he any good? So, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have taken lessons from a recent thriller against Fulham with the episode is now in the past. The team survived to claim a 5-4 win during a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost an hour played.

This followed they fought off a comeback and won 3-2 in the prior game, prompting more questions about whether City are resilient enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he commented. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must take onboard what happens performances and results and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and the five against Fulham you can see the two versions, correct? Therefore, we have we have done many good things. But the number of shots on target had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. And shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's talks are being treated with some importance.

“The initial few days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s deal was significantly better than I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to remain out for at least another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not happen again as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

He also understands the intense pressure on his side, currently in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We must face it. We're battling for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite their regular 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 first goal versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|