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This week's top-flight developments, a notable midfielder has been issued a substantial suspension, a manager has pointed to a player's mistakes to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive improvements following a chaotic win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Match Ban and Fine

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game suspension and a financial fine following misconduct in October's fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player faced an independent regulatory commission after allegations where he spat in the direction of away supporters around the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA release said: “A disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during the Premier League game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that he acted against the laws of football or in an improper manner and/or engaging in offensive and unacceptable conduct through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, and the panel imposed a four-game ban and a fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published in due course.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Prove a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is not an issue for his club, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop the 28-year-old from having a bad game during the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that mentality played a part in their poor result. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest outfield player in the lineup, who produced a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always talk about experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older players. I understand that when we don’t win, we are constantly looking for the reason why, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from a recent thriller against Fulham and the game is now forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 win during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about an hour gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in their prior fixture, prompting further doubts about whether City are the defensive steel required to mount a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Good lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to learn from what happens performances and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand what happened, to not allow so many goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and five against Fulham it shows the two sides, right? Therefore, we have done many good things. Yet the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. How many attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded is is high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise on Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's efforts have assumed some importance.

“My first three or four days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s deal was much more secure than I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club would want to extend Tino’s deal and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is missing Botman against the match with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to remain sidelined for a further period.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to the starting lineup for the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it will not be repeated because he personally admitted the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and will not be repeated.”

He also understands the significant strain on his side, who are 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We have to face it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when the club's usual strikers return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency No 9 because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second in a 2-0 win that maintained {their|