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In the latest top-flight news, a key player has been given a significant ban, a manager has singled to a defender's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline improvements after a chaotic win.

Mejbri Issued Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game ban and a £15,000 fine following misconduct in a recent match against Leeds United. The governing body said the player was referred a separate regulatory commission after an incident of spitting towards visiting fans around the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA statement said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during the Premier League match against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved against the laws of football or in an improper manner and/or using offensive and indecent behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 following a hearing. The panel's written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.” The team, now 19th in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Make a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is not an issue for his team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent him from having poorly in the defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful team in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their poor result. He made his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player in the lineup, who produced a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always talk about experience when we fail to win,” Maresca said. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced players. I understand that if we don’t win, we are always searching for the reason why, but I think why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have taken lessons from their midweek thriller at Fulham with the episode has now been in the past. City survived for a 5-4 victory during a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, it raised further doubts about if City are the defensive steel enough to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he commented. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from both good and bad in the good things and results and think of what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to analyse the cause, to not concede the goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and five against Fulham you can see the two versions, correct? So, we have done many good things. But how many attempts did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not good. How many attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded is is high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Contracts

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest in October and was pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's efforts are being treated with some importance.

“The initial few days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly better than I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s deal and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the home game against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for at least another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for the side play Brighton on Sunday, after serving his suspension for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno said. “I am positive it won't be repeated because he personally admitted the error. We spoke internally. I am positive it is over and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the intense strain facing his team, who are 18th ahead of the weekend matches. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite their regular frontmen return from injury. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|