This week's top-flight developments, a key midfielder was issued a substantial suspension, a manager has singled out a player's mistakes to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline betterment after a wild win.
Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine
Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game ban and a financial fine following improper behaviour in a recent match versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri was referred a separate regulatory commission following allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting supporters at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.
A statement said: “A Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player acted in breach of the rules of the game or in an improper manner and/or using offensive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”
The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, and the panel imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 following a hearing. The panel's written reasons for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” The team, currently 19th in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.
Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Prove an Argument
The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is no an issue at team, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing a bad game during a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.
Maresca, who oversees the youngest team in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in their poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.
“People always mention a lack of experience when we drop points,” the coach said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was mentioning older players. I understand that when we lose, we are constantly looking for the reason why, but I think why we lost against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”
He added, “Who is the oldest one on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not good enough.”
3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'
Pep Guardiola has stated his team have taken lessons from a midweek thriller at Fulham with the game has now been in the past. The team held on for a 5-4 win in a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.
Coming after they resisted a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in their prior game, prompting further doubts about if City possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to learn from both good and bad in the good things and results and think of what's next.”
“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to analyse what happened, to not allow the goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see the two versions, right? So, we have done plenty of positive things. Yet how many shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many attempts for Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of chances conceded is too high. We have to improve.”
4. Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Deals
Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda for the club. He arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.
That has left Wilson free to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with a certain importance.
“The initial three or four days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s deal is much better than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that we wishes to extend Tino’s deal and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”
Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to be out for a further period.
5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start when they play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension following a sending-off against Liverpool.
“That incident is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it will not happen again because he personally admitted his mistake. We spoke internally. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”
He also understands the intense pressure facing his team, currently 18th before Saturday's matches. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We must confront it. We're battling for survival. We can't hide it.”
6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino
The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency number nine due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
He scored the opener against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|
