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From the world of top-flight updates, a notable player was issued a significant suspension, a manager has singled to a player's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline betterment following a wild win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game suspension and a £15,000 fine following improper behaviour during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body said Mejbri was referred an independent regulatory commission after allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting fans around the 67-minute point of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release read: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during their Premier League match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the rules of football or in an improper way and/or using offensive and/or unacceptable conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game suspension and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction are to be released in due course.” The team, now in 19th place in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Prove an Argument

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is no a problem for his team, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from playing a bad game in a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest squad in the division, does not feel that mentality played a part in the poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest outfield player on the pitch, after he delivered an error-strewn display in central defence.

“People always mention experience after we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was mentioning older players. I know that when we don’t win, we are always looking for an explanation, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of the experience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one for us in the match? Who was? Was he any good? So, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from a recent thriller at Fulham with the game has now been forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 win during a remarkable clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about an hour played.

Coming after they resisted a fightback and won 3-2 in their prior fixture, it raised more questions regarding whether they possess resilient required to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Good learnings, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, one must learn from both good and bad performances and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse the cause, to not concede the goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five against Fulham it shows the two versions, correct? So, always we have done many good things. Yet how many attempts had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. How many attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded is too high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. He arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed a certain importance.

“My first few days in the job was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly more secure than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, and he likely to remain out for another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for the side face Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not happen again because he himself admitted the error. We spoke in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant pressure on his side, who are 18th ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with 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. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|