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In the latest top-flight updates, a key midfielder was given a lengthy suspension, a head coach has singled out a defender's mistakes to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment after an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-game ban and a £15,000 penalty for misconduct during October's fixture against Leeds United. The governing body said the player was referred an independent regulatory commission following an incident of spitting in the direction of away supporters around the 67-minute point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A statement explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during the Premier League match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he acted against the laws of football and/or in an improper way and/or engaging in abusive and/or indecent behaviour through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, with the panel imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no an issue at club, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from playing poorly in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in their poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest outfield player in the lineup, after he produced an error-strewn performance in central defence.

“We always mention experience after we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older players. I know that when we don’t win, we are always searching for an explanation, but I think the reason why we lost against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one for us in the match? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from a midweek thriller at Fulham and the game has now been in the past. City survived for a 5-4 victory in a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about an hour gone.

This followed they fought off a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in the previous fixture, prompting further doubts about whether City possess resilient enough to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to learn from what happens performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand what happened, so as not to concede so many goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham you can see the two versions, right? So, always done many good things. But how many attempts did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. And attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded is too high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal extending until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's talks are being treated with some urgency.

“The initial three or four days in the job was when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club would want to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the home game against Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for at least another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for they play Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager said. “I am confident it won't happen again as he personally acknowledged the error. We discussed it about it internally. I believe it is over and will not be repeated.”

He also understands the intense pressure on his side, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must confront it. We're fighting for survival. We can't hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite the club's usual strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency No 9 because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 win which preserved {their|