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This week's English football updates, a significant player was given a lengthy ban, a head coach has singled to a defender's errors to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment after a chaotic victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game suspension and a £15,000 penalty for improper behaviour in a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri was referred a separate regulatory commission after allegations of spitting towards visiting fans around the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA release said: “A Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in the Premier League game with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved against the rules of football or in a poor manner by engaging in offensive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-game ban and a fine after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Make a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is no a problem at team, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly in the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the division, does not feel that mentality played a part in their setback. He made his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player on the pitch, who produced an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“We always talk about a lack of experience when we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I know that if we don’t win, people are always searching for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we lost against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the oldest one for us on the pitch? Who was? Was he any good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have taken lessons from their midweek thriller at Fulham and the game is now in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they resisted a fightback and won 3-2 in their previous game, prompting more questions about whether they possess the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Good learnings, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard both good and bad in the good things and results and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse the cause, to not allow so many goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? Therefore, we have we have done many positive things. But the number of attempts had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not good. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded is too high. We have to be better.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's efforts have assumed a certain urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly more secure than I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that the club wishes to renew Tino’s deal and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman against the match with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to remain out for at least a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when they play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the red card against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager said. “I am confident it won't happen again because he himself acknowledged the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the significant strain on his side, currently in the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite their regular frontmen return from injury. Merino has been playing as a makeshift number nine because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second goal in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|