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This week's English football updates, a notable midfielder has been given a substantial ban, a manager has singled to a defender's mistakes to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline improvements following an erratic victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Match Ban and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-match suspension and a financial penalty following misconduct in a recent match versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated the player was referred an independent regulatory commission following an incident of spitting in the direction of away supporters around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA release said: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their Premier League match against Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved against the rules of football and/or in an improper way by engaging in abusive and indecent conduct through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the panel imposed a four-match suspension and a fine after a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the standings, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Prove a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is no a problem for his team, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from having a bad game in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful squad in the division, does not feel that mentality played a part in the poor result. He made his case by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always mention experience after we drop points,” the coach said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced personnel. I know that when we don’t win, people are always searching for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win 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 on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play any good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

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

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have taken lessons from their midweek thriller against Fulham and the episode has now been forgotten. City held on to claim a 5-4 win during a incredible clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in the previous game, prompting more questions regarding whether they are the defensive steel enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, one must learn from both good and bad performances and results and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to analyse what happened, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham it shows the two sides, correct? Therefore, we have we have done many good things. Yet how many attempts did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is too high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a contract extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's efforts have assumed some urgency.

“My first three or four days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly more secure than I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the match with Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to be out for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when they play Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it won't happen again because he personally admitted his mistake. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the significant strain on his side, currently 18th before the weekend matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is a reality. We have to confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when their regular 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 Arsenal’s opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|