🔗 Share this article

In the latest Premier League news, a notable player has been handed a substantial ban, a manager has pointed to a defender's errors to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has called for defensive improvements after a wild win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game ban and a £15,000 penalty following improper behaviour in a recent match against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player faced a separate disciplinary panel following an incident of spitting towards away fans around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA release said: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to 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 an improper manner by using offensive and unacceptable behaviour by spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, with the panel imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” The team, now 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Prove an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no an issue for his club, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game during a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful team in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience played a part in the setback. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, the oldest player in the lineup, who produced a mistake-riddled display at the back.

“People always talk about experience when we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I know that when we lose, people are constantly looking for the reason why, but I think the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have learnt from their recent thriller at Fulham with the game is now forgotten. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about an hour played.

This followed they fought off a comeback to win 3-2 in their prior fixture, it raised further doubts regarding if City possess resilient required to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he commented. “Good learnings, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to learn from both good and bad performances and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to allow the goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham it shows the two sides, right? So, we have we have done many positive things. Yet how many shots on target had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded is is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract discussions involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“My first few days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly more secure than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club would want to renew Tino’s contract and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to remain sidelined for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start when the side face Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban following a red card he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno said. “I am confident it won't be repeated because he personally acknowledged the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and it will not happen again.”

He also understands the intense pressure facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We must face it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when the club's usual strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|