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This week's top-flight news, a key player was issued a significant suspension, a head coach has pointed out a defender's mistakes to prove an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive improvements following an erratic victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-match ban and a £15,000 penalty following improper behaviour in a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player was referred an independent disciplinary panel following allegations of spitting in the direction of visiting fans around the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

A release read: “A Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in their top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved in breach of the laws of the game or in a poor way and/or engaging in abusive and/or indecent conduct through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match suspension and a fine following proceedings. The panel's written reasons for the sanction will be published in due course.” The team, currently 19th in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Make an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of experience is not a problem for his team, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from playing poorly in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality was a factor in their setback. He made his case by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player in the lineup, who produced a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“People always mention a lack of experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was mentioning older personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, we are always looking for an explanation, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who is the most senior player on our team in the match? Who was? Did he play any good? So, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have learnt from a midweek scare against Fulham with the episode is now forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 victory in a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about an hour gone.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in their prior fixture, it raised more questions about if they possess resilient enough to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” he commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to learn from what happens in the good things and results and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse the cause, so as not to allow the goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and five by Fulham you can see our sides, right? So, we have done plenty of positive things. But how many attempts did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. And attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded we can see too high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's talks are being treated with some importance.

“My first three or four days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was significantly better than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that we wishes to extend Tino’s contract and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the home game against Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to remain out for a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for they face Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban following a red card against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am positive it will not be repeated because he personally acknowledged the error. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I believe it is over and it will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the intense pressure on his side, currently 18th ahead of Saturday's matches. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We have to confront it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward despite the club's usual strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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