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This week's English football updates, a notable player was handed a lengthy suspension, a head coach has pointed out a defender's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive betterment after a chaotic victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-game suspension and a financial penalty following improper behaviour in a recent match versus Leeds United. The governing body confirmed Mejbri faced an independent disciplinary panel following an incident of spitting in the direction of visiting fans at the 67-minute mark during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A statement said: “A Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in their top-flight game against Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved in breach of the laws of football and/or in an improper way and/or using offensive and unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, and the panel imposed a four-game suspension and £15,000 after a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction will be published in due course.” Burnley, currently in 19th place in the standings, visit 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is no an issue for his team, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful team in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in their setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, after he produced an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“People always talk about experience when we drop points,” the coach stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I know that when we lose, we are always looking for the reason why, but in my view why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one on our team in the match? Who was? Was he good? So, it’s not about his age. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have learnt from a recent thriller at Fulham and the episode has now been forgotten. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory during a incredible clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in the prior game, it raised further doubts about whether City are resilient required to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Good learnings, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand the cause, so as not to concede the goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see our sides, correct? So, always done many good things. But how many attempts had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded is too high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Deals

The Magpies' new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions with key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly more secure than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for they face Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension following a red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not happen again as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke about it internally. I believe it is over and it will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the intense strain on his side, who are in the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's the situation. We have to face it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift No 9 due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|