🔗 Share this article

This week's Premier League developments, a notable player has been handed a lengthy ban, a head coach has pointed out a defender's mistakes to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline improvements following an erratic win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Match Ban and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-match ban and a financial fine following misconduct during October's match against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player was referred a separate regulatory commission following allegations where he spat towards away fans around the 67th mark of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA release explained: “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 behaved against the rules of the game and/or in an improper manner by engaging in offensive and indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the panel imposed a four-match ban and £15,000 after proceedings. The panel's written reasons for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Prove a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem for his club, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly during the defeat to Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in their poor result. He presented his case by criticising Tosin, the oldest outfield player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always talk about a lack of experience when we fail to win,” Maresca said. “After we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was talking about older players. I understand that if we lose, we are always looking for the reason why, but I think 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 for us on the pitch? Who was? Did he play good? So, it’s not about his age. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have taken lessons from their recent scare against Fulham with the game has now been in the past. City survived for a 5-4 win in a remarkable encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

This followed they fought off a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in the prior fixture, prompting further doubts regarding whether they are the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Good learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must take onboard both good and bad performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse the cause, to not concede the goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and five by Fulham it shows our versions, right? So, we have done plenty of positive things. Yet how many attempts had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded we can see too high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a contract extending to 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed some importance.

“My first few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is much more secure than I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that the club wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the match with Burnley on Saturday, and he likely to be sidelined for at least a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when they face Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension following a red card against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager remarked. “I am confident it won't happen again as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant pressure facing his team, who are in the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's matches. “We can't avoid it,” he said. “It is a reality. We have to face it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when the club's usual strikers are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift number nine because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|