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This week's top-flight developments, a key player has been issued a substantial suspension, a head coach has pointed to a defender's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline betterment after a chaotic victory.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Match Suspension and Fine

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine following improper behaviour in October's match against Leeds United. The Football Association stated Mejbri faced a separate disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting fans around the 67-minute mark during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA statement explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during the Premier League game with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved against the rules of football or in an improper way by engaging in abusive and unacceptable conduct through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game suspension and £15,000 after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published at a later date.” Burnley, currently in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Prove an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is not an issue at club, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having a bad game in the loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in the poor result. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, after he produced an error-strewn performance 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 mentioning experienced personnel. I know that when we don’t win, people are constantly searching for an explanation, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? So, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have learnt from their midweek scare at Fulham and the game is now in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 win during a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

This followed they fought off a fightback to win 3-2 in their prior fixture, prompting further doubts regarding whether they are resilient enough to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he said. “Good lessons, I hope. At this level, for every team, you have to take onboard both good and bad performances and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse the cause, to not allow the goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham it shows our versions, correct? So, always done many good things. But the number of attempts did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. How many attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So our ratio of chances 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 made new deal discussions with important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's talks have assumed some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is much better than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that the club would want to extend Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman for the home game against Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to remain out for another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for they play Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension for the red card against Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” Nuno said. “I am confident it will not be repeated because he personally acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

He also understands the significant strain facing his team, who are 18th ahead of Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to face it. We're fighting for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen return from injury. Merino has been playing as an emergency number nine due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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