Premier League Headlines: Hannibal Suspended for Spitting; City Boss Insists 'Defence Has to Get Better'

This week's Premier League updates, a key player has been given a significant suspension, a manager has singled out a player's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment following a wild victory.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Ban and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine for misconduct in a recent match versus Leeds United. The governing body stated Mejbri faced a separate regulatory commission following an incident of spitting in the direction of visiting fans around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A release explained: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in the Premier League game against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the laws of football or in a poor manner by using abusive and/or indecent conduct through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, and the panel imposed a four-match ban and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction will be published in due course.” The team, currently 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Make an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem for his club, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from having a bad game during the loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in their setback. He made his case by criticising Tosin, the most experienced outfield player in the lineup, after he produced a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“People always talk about experience when we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced players. I understand that if we lose, people are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view why we lost to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have learnt from their recent thriller at Fulham and the episode has now been in the past. The team held on to claim a 5-4 win in a remarkable clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in the previous game, it raised further doubts regarding if they are resilient enough to mount a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Good lessons, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from what happens performances and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand what happened, to not allow so many goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see our sides, right? So, always we have done plenty of positive things. But how many shots on target did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Contracts

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract discussions with important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal extending to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with a certain urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club would want to extend Tino’s deal and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for the side play Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

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

He also understands the intense pressure on his side, who are 18th ahead of the weekend matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We have to confront it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker despite their regular strikers are fit again. Merino has been playing as an emergency No 9 due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|