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This week's top-flight updates, a significant player was given a significant suspension, a head coach has pointed to a defender's mistakes to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has called for backline betterment after a wild win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Match Ban and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine for misconduct in October's fixture against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel after an incident where he spat towards away fans around the 67-minute point during a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A release explained: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during the Premier League match with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he acted in breach of the rules of the game or in a poor way and/or engaging in offensive and/or indecent behaviour by spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, with the panel imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 after a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” The team, now 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is not an issue for his club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from having a bad game during a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in the setback. He presented his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, after he produced a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always talk about a lack of experience after we fail to win,” the coach said. “After we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was mentioning older personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, we are always looking for the reason why, but I think why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it was because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Was he good? So, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from a midweek thriller at Fulham and the episode is now forgotten. The team survived to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes played.

This followed they fought off a Leeds comeback to win 3-2 in their prior fixture, prompting more questions about if they possess resilient required to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. At this level, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse what happened, to not concede so many goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? So, we have done many positive things. Yet how many shots on target had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So, the average of shots conceded we can see too high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

“My first few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than the one I was expecting,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club would want to extend Tino’s deal and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the match against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not be repeated because he personally admitted his mistake. We discussed it about it internally. I believe it is over and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the intense pressure facing his team, currently 18th before Saturday's matches. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's a reality. We must face it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We cannot hide 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 are fit again. Merino has been playing as an emergency No 9 due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener versus Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second goal in a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|