Premier League Updates: Hannibal Banned for Spitting; City Boss Insists 'Defence Has to Get Better'
This week's Premier League news, a key midfielder was handed a significant suspension, a manager has pointed out a defender's errors to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive improvements after an erratic victory.
1. Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Fine
The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine following misconduct in a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body stated Mejbri was referred a separate regulatory commission following an incident where he spat in the direction of visiting supporters around the 67th mark of a 2-0 win for Burnley.
A release read: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during their Premier League match against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player acted against the laws of the game or in an improper way by using abusive and/or indecent behaviour by spitting towards the direction of Leeds United fans.”
It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, with the panel imposed a four-match suspension and a fine 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 table, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.
2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Make a Point
The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no an issue for his team, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from playing poorly in the loss to Leeds United.
The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in the poor result. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player in the lineup, after he produced an error-strewn performance in central defence.
“People always talk about a lack of experience after we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we beat Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced personnel. I know that when we don’t win, people are always looking for an explanation, but in my view why we lost to Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we were not at our best.”
Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player on our team in the match? Who was? Did he play any good? So, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were not up to standard.”
Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Improve'
Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have taken lessons from a midweek scare at Fulham with the game is now forgotten. City survived for a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about an hour played.
Coming after they resisted a comeback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting further doubts regarding whether City possess the defensive steel enough to mount a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, you have to learn from what happens performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”
“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to analyse the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and five by Fulham it shows our versions, right? Therefore, always done plenty of good things. Yet how many attempts did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. And attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded is is high. We must be better.”
Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals
The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract discussions with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.
This allows Wilson free to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's talks are being treated with a certain importance.
“The initial few days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is much better than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that the club would want to renew Tino’s deal and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are underway.”
Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman for the home game against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for at least a further period.
Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension following a red card against Liverpool.
“It is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it will not happen again because he himself admitted his mistake. We spoke in the dressing room. I believe it is over and it will not happen again.”
He also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, currently 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's a reality. We must face it. We are fighting for survival. We can't shy away from it.”
6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino
The Spanish midfielder could continue leading the line for Arsenal central striker despite their regular frontmen return from injury. Merino has been playing as an emergency number nine because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
He scored Arsenal’s opener versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 win which preserved {their|
