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This week's top-flight news, a significant midfielder has been handed a lengthy ban, a manager has singled out a player's errors to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive improvements after a wild victory.

Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-match suspension and a financial fine for improper behaviour during a recent match against Leeds United. The governing body said Mejbri was referred a separate disciplinary panel after allegations where he spat towards visiting supporters at the 67th point of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA statement read: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in the top-flight match against Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the laws of the game and/or in a poor way and/or engaging in offensive and/or indecent behaviour through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the allegation, and the panel imposed a four-game suspension and a fine after proceedings. The panel's written reasons for its decisions will be published at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the Premier League table, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Errors to Prove a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is not an issue for his club, pointing out how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having poorly in the defeat to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the youngest team in the division, does not feel that mentality played a part in their setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the oldest player on the pitch, who produced a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“People always mention a lack of experience after we fail to win,” the coach stated. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced personnel. I understand that when we lose, we are constantly searching for the reason why, but in my view why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player for us on the pitch? Who was? Was he any good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have learnt from their midweek thriller against Fulham with the episode has now been forgotten. The team survived for a 5-4 victory in a incredible clash on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about an hour gone.

Coming after they fought off a comeback to win 3-2 in their prior game, it raised more questions about if City possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” Guardiola said. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must take onboard both good and bad in the good things and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse the cause, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and five by Fulham it shows our versions, correct? Therefore, always we have done many positive things. But the number of shots on target had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not good. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded is is high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Defenders' Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali has a contract extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s current deal set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with a certain urgency.

“The initial three or four days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, and he likely to remain out for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when they play Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager said. “I am positive it won't be repeated because he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it internally. I am positive it is over and it will not happen again.”

He also understands the intense strain on his side, currently 18th before Saturday's fixtures. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We have to confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when the club's usual frontmen are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency No 9 due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 win that maintained {their|