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In the latest English football developments, a notable player has been issued a substantial ban, a manager has singled out a defender's mistakes to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline betterment after a wild victory.

Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match ban and a £15,000 penalty following misconduct during a recent fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association stated the player was referred a separate regulatory commission following allegations of spitting towards visiting fans around the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A statement said: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during their top-flight game with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he acted against the laws of the game or in a poor way by engaging in offensive and/or indecent behaviour through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the panel handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 following a hearing. The panel's full explanation for its decisions will be published at a later date.” Burnley, currently 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Prove an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem for his club, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from playing poorly in the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the division, does not feel that inexperience played a part in the setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“People always talk about experience when we drop points,” Maresca said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was mentioning older personnel. I know that when we lose, we are constantly searching for the reason why, but in my view the reason 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 on our team in the match? Who was? Was he any good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have learnt from a recent thriller at Fulham with the episode is now in the past. City survived to claim a 5-4 victory in a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in the previous game, prompting further doubts about if they possess the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard both good and bad performances and results and think of what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand what happened, so as not to concede the goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and five by Fulham you can see our sides, right? Therefore, we have done plenty of positive things. Yet the number of shots on target had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. And attempts for Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded we can see is high. We have to be better.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Deals

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s agreement set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed some importance.

“The initial few days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is much more secure than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman against the match with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for they play Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban following a red card he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am confident it won't be repeated because he himself acknowledged the error. We spoke in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the significant strain on his side, currently in the relegation zone before Saturday's fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We have to confront it. We are battling for survival. We cannot hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine 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 in a 2-0 win that maintained {their|