🔗 Share this article

In the latest Premier League updates, a significant player was issued a lengthy suspension, a manager has singled to a defender's mistakes to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive improvements after a wild win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-game ban and a £15,000 penalty following misconduct in October's match versus Leeds United. The governing body stated Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission after allegations of spitting towards away supporters at the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA statement explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in their Premier League game against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player acted against the rules of football or in an improper way by using abusive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, and the panel handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 after a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Make an Argument

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is no a problem at club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent him from playing a bad game in a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest team in the division, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in their setback. He made his case by criticising Tosin, the oldest outfield player on the pitch, after he produced a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“People always talk about experience after we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced players. I know that when we don’t win, we are always searching for an explanation, but in my view why we lost against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player for us on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? So, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have taken lessons from a recent thriller against Fulham with the game has now been in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a comeback to win 3-2 in the prior fixture, prompting further doubts regarding whether they possess resilient required to mount a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. At this level, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and results and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand the cause, so as not to concede the goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see our versions, right? So, always we have done many good things. Yet the number of shots on target did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. How many shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's talks have assumed some urgency.

“My first few days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is well known that we would want to renew Tino’s contract and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for at least a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when they play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” Nuno said. “I am confident it won't be repeated because he himself acknowledged the error. We spoke about it internally. I am positive it is over and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the intense strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It is the situation. We must confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite their regular strikers return from injury. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift number nine because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|