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This week's top-flight news, a key midfielder has been issued a substantial suspension, a head coach has pointed out a defender's errors to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive betterment following a wild victory.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Match Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine following improper behaviour in October's fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body said Mejbri faced a separate disciplinary panel following allegations where he spat towards visiting fans at the 67th point during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA release said: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in their top-flight match against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player acted against the laws of the game or in a poor way and/or engaging in abusive and/or indecent behaviour through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-match suspension and £15,000 after proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction will be published in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League table, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Prove a Point

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is no a problem for his team, pointing out that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having a bad game in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the youngest squad in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience played a part in the setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn display at the back.

“We always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” the coach said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced personnel. I understand that when we don’t win, we are constantly looking for an explanation, but in my view why we lost to Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? Who was? Did he play good? So, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has insisted his team have taken lessons from their midweek scare at Fulham with the episode is now in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory in a remarkable clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the previous game, prompting more questions about if they possess resilient enough to mount a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Good lessons, I hope. At this level, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and results and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse what happened, so as not to concede so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five goals against Fulham you can see the two sides, right? Therefore, we have done many good things. Yet how many shots on target had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. How many shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of chances conceded is too high. We have to be better.”

Newcastle Focus on Livramento and Botman Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations with key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's efforts have assumed some importance.

“The initial three or four days after starting is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal is much more secure than the one I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s well known that the club wishes to extend Tino’s deal and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman for the home game with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to remain out for a further period.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for they play Brighton this Sunday, after serving a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not happen again as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke about it internally. I am positive it is over and will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the intense pressure facing his team, who are 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It is a reality. We have to face it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular frontmen return from injury. Merino has been playing as an emergency number nine because of fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second goal during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|