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In the latest top-flight updates, a significant midfielder has been given a significant ban, a head coach has singled out a player's errors to make a point, and Pep Guardiola has called for defensive betterment after an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match ban and a financial penalty for misconduct in a recent fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri faced an independent regulatory commission after allegations of spitting towards away supporters around the 67th point of a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA release explained: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in their top-flight match with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the rules of the game or in an improper manner and/or engaging in abusive and indecent conduct through spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, and the panel handing down a four-game suspension and a fine following proceedings. The panel's full explanation for the sanction are to be released at a later date.” Burnley, now 19th in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make an Argument

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem at team, highlighting that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from having poorly during the defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful squad in the division, does not feel that inexperience played a part in their poor result. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest outfield player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“We always talk about a lack of experience when we fail to win,” Maresca stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older personnel. I know that when we lose, we are always searching for the reason why, but I think the reason why we lost against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one on our team in the match? Who was? Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have learnt from their recent thriller at Fulham with the episode has now been in the past. The team held on for a 5-4 win in a incredible clash on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with about an hour played.

This followed they fought off a comeback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, it raised further doubts regarding if City are resilient required to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Good lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, one must learn from both good and bad in the good things and results and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We try to understand the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see the two sides, right? So, we have done plenty of positive things. But the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. How many attempts did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed contract negotiations involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest in October and is reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's efforts have assumed some urgency.

“The initial few days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is much more secure than the one I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the match with Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to remain sidelined for a further period.

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 this Sunday, having completed his suspension for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it will not be repeated because he himself admitted his mistake. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the intense strain on his side, who are in the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's matches. “We cannot ignore 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 No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite the club's usual frontmen are fit again. Merino has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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