🔗 Share this article

In the latest Premier League updates, a key player was issued a significant suspension, a manager has pointed to a player's mistakes to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment following a wild victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine following misconduct during a recent fixture against Leeds United. The governing body stated the player was referred an independent disciplinary panel after an incident where he spat in the direction of away fans around the 67th mark during a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA release read: “A disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during the Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved in breach of the laws of the game or in a poor manner and/or using abusive and unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, and the panel handing down a four-match ban and a fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions are to be released in due course.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Errors to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is not an issue for his club, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from playing poorly in the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest team in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in the setback. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced player on the pitch, after he delivered an error-strewn performance at the back.

“We always talk about experience after we drop points,” the coach said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I know that when we don’t win, people are always searching for the reason why, but I think the reason why we lost to Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the oldest one on our team in the match? Who was? Did he play good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have taken lessons from a recent thriller at Fulham with the episode is now forgotten. City held on for a 5-4 victory in a remarkable encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

This followed they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the prior game, prompting more questions regarding if City possess the defensive steel required to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he commented. “Valuable learnings, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard both good and bad performances and results and think of the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand the cause, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and five by Fulham you can see our versions, correct? So, we have we have done many positive things. But how many shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded we can see too high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract discussions involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to prioritise talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed some importance.

“The initial three or four days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was much more secure than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that the club would want to renew Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for at least another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for the side face Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am confident it will not happen again because he personally acknowledged the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe it is over and it will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the significant strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is a reality. We must face it. We are battling for survival. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when their regular frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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