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This week's top-flight updates, a notable player was handed a significant suspension, a head coach has singled out a player's errors to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive betterment following a wild win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine for improper behaviour during October's match against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed the player faced an independent regulatory commission following an incident where he spat towards visiting fans at the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release read: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during the top-flight game against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved in breach of the rules of the game or in a poor way and/or using offensive and/or unacceptable behaviour by spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, and the panel imposed a four-match suspension and a fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions are to be released in due course.” The team, currently 19th in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Errors to Make an Argument

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is not an issue at team, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having a bad game in the loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the division, does not feel that mentality played a part in their setback. He made his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player in the lineup, who delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“People always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” the coach said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was talking about older players. I understand that if we don’t win, we are constantly looking for the reason why, but in my view why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

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

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from a recent thriller against Fulham and the game is now forgotten. City survived for a 5-4 win during a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

This followed they fought off a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in the previous fixture, it raised further doubts about whether they possess resilient required to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Valuable learnings, I hope. At this level, for every team, one must learn from what happens performances and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and five against Fulham it shows our versions, right? So, we have done many positive things. But how many shots on target did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not good. How many attempts for Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is is high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Contracts

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

That has left Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with some importance.

“The initial few days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than the one I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club would want to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman against the home game with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be out for at least another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for the side play Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban following a sending-off against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am positive it will not happen again as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I believe it is over and will not be repeated.”

He also acknowledged the intense pressure on his side, currently 18th ahead of Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is a reality. We have to face it. We are fighting for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite their regular frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift No 9 because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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