English Football Headlines: Hannibal Banned for Spitting; Guardiola Insists 'Defence Has to Improve'

In the latest Premier League news, a key midfielder was given a significant suspension, a head coach has singled to a defender's errors to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive betterment after a wild win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game suspension and a £15,000 penalty for misconduct in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The governing body said Mejbri was referred a separate regulatory commission following allegations of spitting towards away supporters around the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A release explained: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their top-flight match against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player acted in breach of the rules of football and/or in a poor manner by engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match ban and a fine after proceedings. The panel's written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the table, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Prove an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is no an issue at club, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from having poorly in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in the poor result. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, the most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn display in central defence.

“People always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced personnel. I know that if we lose, we are constantly searching for the reason why, but in my view why we lost against Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play any good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from a recent thriller against Fulham and the episode is now in the past. The team survived to claim a 5-4 win during a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

Coming after they resisted a comeback to win 3-2 in their previous game, it raised more questions regarding if they are the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Valuable learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard what happens performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse what happened, so as not to allow so many goals. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see our sides, correct? Therefore, always we have done many good things. Yet the number of attempts had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. How many shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded is is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions with important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

“The initial few days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. These talks are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe is missing Botman against the home game with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to remain sidelined for at least another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for the side face Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the red card against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am positive it will not be repeated because he himself acknowledged the error. We discussed it internally. I believe the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the significant pressure on his side, who are 18th ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must face it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue as Arsenal’s central striker despite their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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