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In the latest English football developments, a notable midfielder was given a significant ban, a head coach has pointed to a defender's mistakes to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has called for defensive betterment after a chaotic win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match suspension and a financial penalty for improper behaviour during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body stated Mejbri faced a separate disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting in the direction of away supporters at the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their top-flight game with Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved in breach of the rules of the game and/or in an improper manner and/or engaging in offensive and indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game suspension and a fine following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is no a problem for his team, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having a bad game during a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“We always talk about a lack of experience after we drop points,” the coach stated. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that if we lose, people are always looking for an explanation, but in my view why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one for us in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have taken lessons from their midweek thriller against Fulham and the episode has now been forgotten. City survived to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about an hour gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the prior game, it raised more questions regarding if City are the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he commented. “Good learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must take onboard what happens performances and results 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 against Leeds, and five against Fulham you can see our versions, right? So, always we have done many good things. But the number of attempts had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded is too high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we wishes to extend Tino’s deal and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman for the home game with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for they play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban following a red card against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am confident it won't be repeated as he himself admitted his mistake. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the intense strain on his side, who are in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend matches. “We can't ignore it,” he said. “It is a reality. We have to confront it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when the club's usual strikers return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the first goal against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|