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This week's top-flight updates, a key player was given a significant suspension, a manager has singled to a defender's mistakes to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment following an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match suspension and a £15,000 penalty following misconduct during October's match versus Leeds United. The governing body said the player was referred a separate regulatory commission following an incident where he spat towards away supporters at the 67th point during a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA statement explained: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions in the Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the rules of football or in an improper way and/or using offensive and unacceptable behaviour through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

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

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Make an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is no a problem for his team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from having a bad game during the loss against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest team in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality played a part in the setback. He made his case by singling out Tosin, the oldest outfield player on the pitch, after he delivered an error-strewn display at the back.

“People always talk about a lack of experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, we are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the oldest one on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Was he good? So, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have learnt from a midweek scare at Fulham with the game has now been in the past. City survived to claim a 5-4 win in a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the prior fixture, it raised more questions about whether they are resilient enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he commented. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must 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. After conceding three scored against Leeds, and the five against Fulham you can see the two sides, right? Therefore, always we have done plenty of positive things. Yet the number of shots on target had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. And attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded we can see too high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. He arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with a certain importance.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly more secure than I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s well known that we wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be out for at least a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for they face Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not be repeated as he personally acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and will not be repeated.”

He also understands the intense strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must confront it. We're battling for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen 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 and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|