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In the latest top-flight developments, a significant player has been issued a significant suspension, a manager has singled out a defender's errors to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline betterment following an erratic win.

Mejbri Given Four-Match Suspension and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game ban and a financial fine for improper behaviour in a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The governing body stated Mejbri was referred a separate regulatory commission after an incident where he spat in the direction of visiting supporters at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement read: “A disciplinary panel has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in the top-flight match with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the rules of the game and/or in an improper way and/or engaging in abusive and/or indecent conduct through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, and the panel handing down a four-match suspension and a fine after proceedings. The panel's full explanation for its decisions will be published in due course.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the Premier League standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Make an Argument

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is not an issue for his club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience was a factor in the setback. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player on the pitch, after he delivered an error-strewn performance at the back.

“We always mention experience when we fail to win,” Maresca said. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I know that if we don’t win, we are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view why we lost against Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

He added, “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 his age. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have taken lessons from a midweek thriller at Fulham with the episode is now in the past. The team survived to claim a 5-4 victory in a remarkable encounter on Tuesday, after leading 5-1 with about an hour played.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in their previous fixture, it raised further doubts regarding if they possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” Guardiola commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, you have to take onboard both good and bad in the good things and bad things and think of what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand the cause, so as not to concede so many goals. With the three goals scored by Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see our sides, correct? So, always we have done many good things. Yet the number of attempts had Leeds ? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. How many attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is too high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions involving important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is reassured to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a deal extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise talks with Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts have assumed a certain importance.

“My first few days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly more secure than I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we wishes to renew Tino’s contract and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman against the home game with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender likely to be out for another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Returns for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban for the red card against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am confident it won't be repeated as he personally admitted his mistake. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

He also understands the intense pressure facing his team, who are 18th before the weekend matches. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We must confront it. We are battling for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when the club's usual strikers return from injury. Merino has been deployed as an emergency number nine because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for Arsenal’s opener versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|