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This week's English football updates, a key player was handed a lengthy ban, a head coach has singled to a defender's errors to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment after an erratic win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Ban and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game ban and a £15,000 fine following misconduct during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel after an incident of spitting towards away supporters around the 67th mark during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA release read: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during the Premier League game against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player acted in breach of the laws of football and/or in a poor manner and/or engaging in offensive and/or indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match ban and a fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Make an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is not a problem at team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from having poorly during a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in the setback. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, the most experienced outfield player in the lineup, who delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always mention experience when we drop points,” the coach said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older players. I know that if we lose, people are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play good? So, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have learnt from their midweek thriller against Fulham with the game has now been forgotten. The team survived to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they resisted a comeback and won 3-2 in the prior game, prompting more questions about if they are resilient required to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. At this level, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens performances and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We are trying to analyse the cause, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and five against Fulham it shows the two sides, correct? Therefore, always we have done many good things. But the number of shots on target had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. And attempts for Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions with key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal extending to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to prioritise talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed some importance.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s deal is much more secure than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match against Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to remain out for another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start when the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not happen again as he personally acknowledged the error. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant strain on his side, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is the situation. We must confront it. We are battling for survival. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular strikers return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 win which preserved {their|