Premier League Updates: Hannibal Banned for Spitting; Guardiola Insists 'Defence Has to Improve'

In the latest top-flight news, a significant player was handed a significant suspension, a head coach has pointed out a defender's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive betterment following a chaotic victory.

Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-game ban and a £15,000 fine following misconduct during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed the player was referred a separate regulatory commission after an incident of spitting in the direction of visiting fans around the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA statement said: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in the top-flight game with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the laws of football or in a poor way by engaging in offensive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

It continued, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-match ban and £15,000 after a hearing. The panel's written reasons for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is no a problem at club, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having poorly during a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in the setback. He made his case by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, who produced a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“People always talk about experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we beat Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, no one was mentioning experienced personnel. I know that if we don’t win, people are constantly looking for an explanation, but I think why we lost against Leeds is not because of the experience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who is the most senior player for us in the match? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from a midweek scare against Fulham with the game has now been in the past. The team held on to claim a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the prior fixture, it raised more questions regarding if City are the defensive steel enough to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from both good and bad performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse the cause, to not concede so many goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and five against Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? So, we have we have done many positive things. But how many shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. And shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded we can see is high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, the club's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is much more secure than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman against the match with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to be out for another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side face Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not be repeated because he personally admitted his mistake. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the significant pressure facing his team, currently in the relegation zone before Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It's the situation. We must confront it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite their regular frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|