🔗 Share this article

This week's Premier League updates, a notable midfielder has been handed a significant ban, a manager has singled out a defender's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive improvements after a chaotic win.

Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match suspension and a financial penalty for improper behaviour in a recent match versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed the player was referred an independent disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting fans at the 67th mark of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release read: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during their top-flight match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved against the rules of the game and/or in an improper way by using abusive and indecent behaviour through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-match ban and a fine after a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, currently 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is not a problem for his club, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from playing a bad game in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the youngest squad in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in their poor result. He made his case by singling out Tosin, the oldest player in the lineup, after he delivered an error-strewn display at the back.

“We always talk about experience after we drop points,” Maresca stated. “When we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, we are always looking for the reason why, but I think why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from their recent thriller against Fulham and the game is now forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 win during a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they resisted a comeback and won 3-2 in their prior fixture, it raised further doubts about if City possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. At this level, for every team, one must learn from both good and bad performances and results and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse what happened, so as not to concede so many goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? Therefore, always done plenty of good things. Yet the number of shots on target had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded we can see too high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Contracts

The Magpies' new football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed contract discussions with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks are being treated with some importance.

“My first three or four days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman for the match against Burnley on Saturday, and he likely to remain out for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for they play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it will not happen again because he himself admitted the error. We spoke about it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the intense pressure facing his team, who are in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue leading the line for Arsenal central striker despite the club's usual strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency No 9 due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|