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This week's top-flight developments, a notable player was issued a substantial suspension, a manager has singled to a defender's errors to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline betterment following a wild victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game ban and a £15,000 fine following improper behaviour during October's match versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed the player faced an independent regulatory commission following allegations where he spat towards visiting supporters at the 67th mark during a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA release read: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their Premier League match against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he acted in breach of the laws of football or in a poor manner by engaging in offensive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting towards the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and a fine after a hearing. The panel's full explanation for the sanction are to be released in due course.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is not a problem for his team, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly during the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in their poor result. He presented his case by singling out Tosin, the oldest player on the pitch, after he delivered an error-strewn display at the back.

“People always talk about experience when we fail to win,” the coach stated. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was mentioning experienced personnel. I know that when we lose, we are always searching for the reason why, but I think the reason why we lost to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

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

Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated his team have learnt from their recent thriller against Fulham with the episode has now been in the past. The team held on to claim a 5-4 win in a remarkable clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes played.

This followed they resisted a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in their previous game, it raised more questions regarding if they possess the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Good lessons, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and results and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse the cause, to not allow the goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham it shows our versions, right? So, always done plenty of good things. Yet how many shots on target had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of shots conceded is too high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed contract discussions with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“The initial three or four days after starting is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the home game with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to be sidelined for another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for the side play Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager said. “I am positive it won't happen again as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke internally. I believe it is over and will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the intense strain facing his team, who are 18th before Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We must confront it. We're fighting for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency No 9 because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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