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This week's top-flight updates, a key player was handed a substantial ban, a manager has singled out a defender's mistakes to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive improvements after a wild win.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been issued a four-match suspension and a financial penalty following misconduct during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed the player faced an independent regulatory commission following allegations of spitting towards away supporters at the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

A release read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to his actions during the top-flight game with Leeds of 18 October. It was alleged that the player behaved in breach of the laws of the game or in an improper way by engaging in offensive and indecent conduct through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, with the panel handing down a four-game suspension and a fine following proceedings. The panel's written reasons for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, currently 19th in the standings, visit 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make an Argument

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem for his team, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing a bad game in a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful team in the Premier League, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in the setback. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced player in the lineup, who produced an error-strewn display in central defence.

“We always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced players. I know that when we lose, we are constantly searching for the reason why, but I think why we lost against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player for us in the match? It was Tosin. Was he any good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have learnt from their midweek scare at Fulham with the game has now been in the past. The team held on for a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in their prior fixture, prompting further doubts regarding whether City possess the defensive steel enough to mount a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he commented. “Valuable learnings, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard what happens performances and results and think of the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand the cause, to not concede so many goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and five goals by Fulham you can see our versions, right? So, we have we have done many positive things. Yet how many attempts did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So, the average of shots conceded is too high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal extending to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on talks with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's current deal set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's talks have assumed some urgency.

“The initial few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal was significantly more secure than I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that the club would want to renew Tino’s deal and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman for the home game with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to be out for at least another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Returns Against Brighton

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” the manager said. “I am confident it won't be repeated because he personally acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it internally. I believe the matter is closed and will not be repeated.”

Nuno also understands the significant strain on his side, who are in the relegation zone before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We must face it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when the club's usual frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as an emergency No 9 due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|