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This week's English football updates, a significant midfielder has been issued a substantial suspension, a head coach has singled to a player's errors to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline betterment after an erratic win.

Mejbri Issued Four-Match Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game ban and a financial penalty following misconduct during October's fixture against Leeds United. The governing body stated Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission following an incident where he spat towards away fans around the 67th point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A statement read: “A disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in the Premier League game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved against the rules of football and/or in an improper way by using abusive and/or indecent conduct by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, with the panel handing down a four-game ban and a fine following a hearing. The panel's full explanation for the sanction will be published in due course.” The team, now 19th in the standings, visit 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having seasoned players is no a problem for his team, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from playing a bad game during the loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in the setback. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player on the pitch, who delivered an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“People always mention experience when we drop points,” the coach said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was mentioning older personnel. I know that when we lose, we are constantly looking for an explanation, but in my view why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he any good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have taken lessons from a recent scare against Fulham with the game has now been forgotten. The team survived to claim a 5-4 victory in a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in their previous game, prompting further doubts regarding if they possess the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Good lessons, I hope. At this level, for every team, one must take onboard what happens performances and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We try to analyse what happened, to not concede the goals. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and the five by Fulham it shows our sides, right? Therefore, we have we have done many good things. Yet how many shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded we can see too high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a contract that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks are being treated with a certain importance.

“The initial few days after starting is when I found that Sandro’s deal is much more secure than I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to remain sidelined for at least another week.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for they play Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it won't happen again as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also acknowledged the intense pressure on his side, currently 18th before Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We must face it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift number nine because of fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the first goal versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|