🔗 Share this article

This week's Premier League updates, a key midfielder was given a lengthy ban, a manager has singled out a defender's errors to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for defensive betterment after a chaotic win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match ban and a financial fine following misconduct in a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body confirmed Mejbri faced an independent disciplinary panel after an incident of spitting towards away fans at the 67th point of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A statement explained: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League match with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the laws of football and/or in a poor way by using offensive and indecent behaviour by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match ban and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction will be published at a later date.” The team, currently in 19th place in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Prove a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is not a problem for his club, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly during the defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in their setback. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player on the pitch, after he produced a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“People always talk about experience when we drop points,” Maresca stated. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was mentioning experienced players. I understand that if we don’t win, people are always looking for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Was he any good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has stated his team have taken lessons from their midweek thriller at Fulham and the episode has now been in the past. The team survived to claim a 5-4 victory in a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the prior game, prompting more questions regarding whether they are resilient required to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he commented. “Valuable lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to learn from both good and bad performances and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand what happened, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see our versions, correct? Therefore, we have we have done plenty of positive things. Yet the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. How many attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded is is high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda for the club. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to prioritise talks with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

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

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the match with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to be sidelined for at least another week.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup when the side face Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am confident it won't happen again because he himself admitted his mistake. We spoke in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the significant pressure facing his team, currently 18th before Saturday's fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must confront it. We are fighting for survival. We cannot hide it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular frontmen return from injury. Merino has been playing as an emergency No 9 because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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