Top-Flight Headlines: Mejbri Banned for Misconduct; Guardiola Insists 'Defence Has to Get Better'
From the world of top-flight news, a notable player was handed a lengthy suspension, a manager has singled to a defender's errors to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment following a wild win.
Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Fine
The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game suspension and a financial penalty following misconduct during a recent match versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri faced a separate disciplinary panel after allegations where he spat in the direction of visiting supporters at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.
An FA statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League game against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the laws of football or in an improper manner by engaging in abusive and indecent conduct through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”
It added, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game suspension and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” The team, now 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.
Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point
The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is no an issue for his team, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from having a bad game during the loss to Leeds United.
The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest team in the division, does not feel that inexperience played a part in their poor result. He made his case by singling out Tosin, the oldest outfield player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.
“People always talk about experience when we fail to win,” the coach said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older personnel. I understand that if we lose, people are always looking for the reason why, but I think why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”
Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one on our team on the pitch? Who was? Did he play any good? So, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”
3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Has to Get Better'
The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have learnt from a midweek scare against Fulham and the episode has now been forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.
This followed they fought off a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in their prior game, prompting further doubts regarding whether they possess resilient required to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Valuable lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, one must learn from both good and bad performances and results and focus on the next one.”
“Of course I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to concede the goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and five against Fulham it shows the two versions, correct? So, always done plenty of good things. Yet the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded is too high. We have to improve.”
Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Deals
Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. He arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.
That has left Wilson to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with some urgency.
“The initial three or four days after starting is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly more secure than I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that the club wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”
Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match against Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to remain out for a further period.
5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham
The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for the side face Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban for the sending-off against Liverpool.
“It is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am confident it won't be repeated because he personally acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it internally. I believe the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”
Nuno also acknowledged the intense pressure facing his team, currently 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he said. “It is a reality. We have to confront it. We are battling for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”
Arteta Impressed by Striker Deputy Merino
Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 because of fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Merino found the net for Arsenal’s first goal versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 win which preserved {their|
