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In the latest top-flight updates, a notable player was given a lengthy suspension, a manager has singled out a defender's mistakes to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline improvements after an erratic win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Match Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-game suspension and a financial fine following improper behaviour during a recent match versus Leeds United. The governing body said the player faced an independent disciplinary panel following an incident where he spat towards visiting supporters around the 67th mark of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release explained: “A disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during the Premier League game with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved against the rules of football or in a poor way and/or engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable conduct through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the panel imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 after a hearing. The panel's full explanation for the sanction will be published in due course.” The team, currently 19th in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that not having experience is no an issue for his team, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game in a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, after he delivered an error-strewn performance at the back.

“We always talk about experience after we fail to win,” the coach stated. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older players. I know that if we don’t win, we are always looking for the reason why, but I think the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one on our team on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? So, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have learnt from their midweek scare against Fulham with the game is now forgotten. City survived to claim a 5-4 win in a incredible encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a comeback and won 3-2 in the previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding if they possess the defensive steel required to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Good learnings, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from what happens in the good things and results and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand the cause, to not allow the goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and five goals against Fulham it shows the two versions, right? Therefore, always done many positive things. But the number of shots on target had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of shots conceded is too high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. He arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson free to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks are being treated with a certain importance.

“The initial few days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was significantly better than I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the home game with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to remain sidelined for another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for the side face Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban following a sending-off against Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it won't happen again as he personally admitted his mistake. We discussed it internally. I believe it is over and it will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant strain on his side, currently in the relegation zone before Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he said. “It is the situation. We have to confront it. We are battling for survival. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when their regular strikers return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency number nine because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 win which preserved {their|