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This week's English football updates, a significant midfielder was handed a lengthy suspension, a head coach has pointed out a defender's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive improvements following a wild victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-match ban and a financial penalty following misconduct in October's match against Leeds United. The Football Association said the player faced an independent disciplinary panel after an incident where he spat towards away supporters around the 67th point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A statement read: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during the Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the laws of the game or in a poor way and/or using abusive and indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, with the panel imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 after a hearing. The panel's full explanation for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the standings, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is not a problem for his team, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from playing poorly during the loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in their poor result. He made his case by criticising Tosin, the oldest player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“People always mention experience when we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced players. I know that if we don’t win, we are always looking for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s 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 good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from their midweek thriller at Fulham and the episode has now been forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

This followed they resisted a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in the previous fixture, it raised more questions about if City are the defensive steel required to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to concede the goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham you can see our versions, right? Therefore, always we have done plenty of positive things. Yet how many attempts had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. And attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So, the average of shots conceded is is high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured 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 for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed a certain importance.

“The initial few days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly more secure than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club would want to renew Tino’s deal and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to be out for a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side face Brighton this Sunday, having completed his suspension following a red card against Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it will not be repeated because he himself admitted the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe it is over and it will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the significant pressure facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We can't avoid it,” he said. “It is a reality. We must face it. We are fighting for survival. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency No 9 because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the first goal versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|