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This week's English football updates, a key player was given a significant suspension, a manager has singled to a player's mistakes to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline improvements following a wild victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-match suspension and a £15,000 penalty for misconduct during a recent match against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri faced an independent regulatory commission after an incident where he spat in the direction of away supporters around the 67th point during a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A statement explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during their top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player acted against the rules of the game or in an improper manner by using abusive and/or indecent behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match suspension and a fine after proceedings. The panel's full explanation for the sanction will be published in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the table, visit 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Make an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is no a problem at team, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having a bad game in the loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in the setback. He made his case by criticising Tosin, the oldest outfield player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn display in central defence.

“We always mention experience after we drop points,” Maresca stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced players. I understand that if we don’t win, people are always searching for an explanation, but in my view why we lost against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play any good? So, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 men, they were not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have learnt from their recent thriller against Fulham and the episode is now forgotten. The team held on for a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the previous fixture, it raised more questions regarding if City possess resilient enough to mount a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he commented. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to learn from both good and bad in the good things and results and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to concede the goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham it shows our sides, right? So, we have we have done plenty of good things. But how many shots on target did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded is is high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda for the club. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed some importance.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than the one I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, and he likely to remain out for another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it will not be repeated as he personally acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it internally. I believe it is over and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the significant pressure on his side, currently 18th before Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We have to confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|