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From the world of English football developments, a notable player has been given a significant ban, a head coach has pointed out a defender's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline betterment after a chaotic win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match ban and a financial penalty for improper behaviour in October's match versus Leeds United. The Football Association said the player faced an independent disciplinary panel after an incident of spitting in the direction of visiting fans around the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A statement said: “A disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in their top-flight game against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved against the laws of football or in an improper way by using abusive and/or indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-game suspension and a fine after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” The team, currently in 19th place in the standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is no a problem at club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from playing poorly in the defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful team in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience played a part in their poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, after he produced a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“People always talk about a lack of experience when we drop points,” Maresca stated. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older players. I understand that when we lose, people are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have learnt from a midweek thriller against Fulham with the episode is now forgotten. City held on for a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about an hour gone.

Coming after they fought off a fightback and won 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting further doubts regarding whether they are resilient enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Good learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must take onboard both good and bad performances and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand the cause, to not concede so many goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and the five against Fulham it shows the two versions, correct? So, always done plenty of positive things. But how many 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 is too high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract discussions involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending to 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with a certain importance.

“The initial three or four days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to renew Tino’s deal and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the match with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to remain sidelined for a further period.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for they face Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban for the red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it won't be repeated as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, currently in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend matches. “We can't ignore it,” he said. “It is the situation. We have to confront it. We are fighting for survival. We can't hide 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 their regular strikers return from injury. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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