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In the latest top-flight updates, a key player has been issued a lengthy ban, a manager has singled to a player's mistakes to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for defensive improvements after an erratic win.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match ban and a financial fine for improper behaviour in a recent match versus Leeds United. The Football Association stated the player was referred an independent disciplinary panel following allegations where he spat in the direction of visiting fans around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement explained: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during their top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved against the rules of football and/or in an improper manner and/or using abusive and/or unacceptable behaviour by spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, and the panel handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Prove an Argument

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is no an issue at team, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from playing a bad game in a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the youngest team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player on the pitch, who produced an error-strewn performance at the back.

“We always talk about a lack of experience when we drop points,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I know that if we lose, we are constantly looking for an explanation, but I think why we lost against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player on our team in the match? Who was? Did he play any good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from a midweek thriller against Fulham with the game is now forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 victory in a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost 60 minutes gone.

This followed they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in the previous fixture, prompting further doubts regarding whether City possess the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Valuable learnings, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, one must take onboard what happens performances and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand what happened, so as not to concede the goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and the five against Fulham it shows our sides, correct? Therefore, always we have done many good things. But how many shots on target had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. And shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded we can see is high. We have to be better.”

Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. He joined from Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

“My first three or four days in the job was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club would want to renew Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman for the match with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to remain sidelined for another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension following a red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” Nuno said. “I am confident it won't be repeated because he personally admitted the error. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

He also understands the intense pressure facing his team, who are 18th before Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We must face it. We're battling for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when their regular frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 due to injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|