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In the latest top-flight updates, a notable player has been handed a lengthy suspension, a manager has pointed to a defender's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment following a chaotic victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match suspension and a £15,000 penalty for improper behaviour during October's fixture against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player was referred a separate regulatory commission after allegations of spitting towards away supporters around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A release said: “A disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their Premier League match with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the laws of the game and/or in an improper way by using offensive and unacceptable conduct through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and £15,000 after a hearing. The panel's full explanation for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no a problem at team, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly in a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful team in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in the setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“People always talk about experience after we drop points,” Maresca stated. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced players. I know that when we don’t win, people are always searching for an explanation, but I think the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player on our team on the pitch? Who was? Was he any good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have learnt from a midweek scare at Fulham and the game has now been forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a comeback and won 3-2 in their previous game, prompting further doubts about if they are resilient enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he commented. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to learn from both good and bad performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to understand what happened, to not concede the goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and five by Fulham it shows the two versions, correct? So, we have done plenty of good things. But the number of shots on target did Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. And attempts for Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda for the club. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's talks are being treated with some urgency.

“My first three or four days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that we would want to renew Tino’s deal and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman against the match with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to remain sidelined for at least another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for they play Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not happen again because he personally acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it in the dressing room. I believe it is over and it will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the intense strain facing his team, currently in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to confront it. We're battling for survival. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when the club's usual frontmen are fit again. Merino has been playing as an emergency No 9 because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|