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This week's English football developments, a key player was given a lengthy suspension, a manager has singled out a defender's mistakes to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline improvements after a wild victory.

Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match ban and a financial penalty following improper behaviour during a recent match versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel after allegations where he spat towards visiting fans at the 67th mark during a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA statement explained: “A Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during the top-flight match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player acted in breach of the rules of the game or in an improper manner and/or using offensive and unacceptable conduct through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game ban and a fine after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions are to be released in due course.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Make a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is no an issue for his club, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent him from having poorly during a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality played a part in their poor result. He made his case by criticising Tosin, the oldest outfield player in the lineup, after he delivered an error-strewn display in central defence.

“People always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” the coach said. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was talking about older personnel. I know that if we lose, people are constantly looking for the reason why, but in my view why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who is the most senior player for us on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? So, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have learnt from a recent thriller at Fulham with the game has now been in the past. The team held on for a 5-4 victory in a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding whether City are resilient enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. At this level, for every team, one must learn from what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand the cause, to not allow the goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and five by Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? So, always we have done plenty of good things. Yet how many shots on target had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not good. How many attempts for Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded we can see too high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions with key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed a certain urgency.

“The initial few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly more secure than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club would want to renew Tino’s contract and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to remain out for at least another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for the side face Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it won't be repeated because he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and it will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, currently 18th ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We have to confront it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when their regular frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency number nine due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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