Top-Flight Updates: Mejbri Banned for Spitting; Guardiola Insists 'Defence Has to Improve'
In the latest English football news, a key player was given a significant suspension, a manager has singled to a defender's errors to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline improvements following a wild win.
1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Ban and Fine
The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game ban and a financial fine for improper behaviour in October's match against Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri faced an independent disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting towards visiting fans around the 67th point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.
A release read: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their Premier League game against Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that the player acted against the rules of football and/or in an improper manner by engaging in offensive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”
The statement added, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the panel handing down a four-game ban and a fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions will be published in due course.” The team, now in 19th place in the standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.
Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Prove a Point
The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is not an issue for his club, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from having a bad game during the defeat against Leeds United.
Maresca, who manages the youngest squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced player on the pitch, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.
“We always talk about a lack of experience after we drop points,” the coach stated. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced players. I know that if we don’t win, people are always looking for an explanation, but I think the reason why we lost against Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we were not at our best.”
He added, “Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? Who was? Did he play good? So, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”
3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Improve'
The Manchester City manager has stated his team have learnt from a midweek scare at Fulham with the game is now in the past. The team survived to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes played.
This followed they fought off a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding if they are the defensive steel enough to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Valuable learnings, I hope. At this level, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and results and focus on the next one.”
“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand the cause, to not concede the goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and the five by Fulham it shows our versions, right? So, we have we have done plenty of good things. Yet how many shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. And shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded is too high. We have to be better.”
Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Contracts
Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.
That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's talks have assumed a certain importance.
“My first three or four days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was significantly more secure than I was expecting,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”
Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to remain out for at least another week.
5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for they face Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban following a red card against Liverpool.
“That incident is in the past,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it will not be repeated because he personally admitted the error. We spoke in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”
He also understands the significant strain on his side, currently in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It's the situation. We must confront it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”
Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino
Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite their regular strikers are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift number nine because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|