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In the latest top-flight updates, a notable midfielder has been handed a substantial suspension, a manager has singled to a defender's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive improvements after a chaotic victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match suspension and a £15,000 penalty for improper behaviour during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel after allegations where he spat in the direction of visiting fans around the 67-minute point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A statement read: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in their Premier League game against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the laws of football and/or in a poor manner and/or engaging in abusive and indecent conduct by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, with the panel imposed a four-match ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League table, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is no a problem at club, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from having a bad game in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in the setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player on the pitch, after he produced a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always mention experience when we drop points,” Maresca stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was mentioning experienced personnel. I understand that when we don’t win, people are always looking for an explanation, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

He added, “Who is the most senior player for us in the match? Who was? Did he play any good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have learnt from a midweek scare at Fulham and the episode is now forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 victory in a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a comeback to win 3-2 in the previous fixture, it raised further doubts regarding if City possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he commented. “Good lessons, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard both good and bad performances and results and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand what happened, so as not to concede the goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham it shows the two versions, right? So, always done plenty of good things. Yet the number of shots on target had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded we can see too high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations with important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed some urgency.

“The initial three or four days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s deal was significantly better than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the match against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to be out for at least a further period.

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 face Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it will not happen again as he personally admitted his mistake. We spoke about it internally. I believe it is over and will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the intense pressure facing his team, who are in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We're fighting for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when the club's usual strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s first goal versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second goal in a 2-0 win which preserved {their|