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This week's Premier League updates, a significant midfielder has been given a significant suspension, a manager has pointed to a player's mistakes to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive betterment following an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Given Four-Game Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match ban and a £15,000 penalty following misconduct during October's match against Leeds United. The Football Association said Mejbri was referred an independent disciplinary panel after an incident of spitting towards away fans around the 67th mark during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA release said: “A Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions in their top-flight match against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the rules of the game or in an improper way and/or using abusive and unacceptable behaviour through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and a fine following proceedings. The panel's written reasons for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” The team, currently 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Prove an Argument

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no an issue for his club, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having a bad game in a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in the poor result. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn display at the back.

“We always talk about experience after we drop points,” the coach stated. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older personnel. I know that when we lose, we are constantly looking for the reason why, but in my view the reason why we lost against Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player for us on the pitch? Who was? Did he play any good? Therefore, it’s not about his age. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have learnt from their midweek thriller against Fulham and the episode has now been in the past. City survived for a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about an hour played.

This followed they resisted a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in the previous game, prompting further doubts regarding whether City are resilient enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Valuable learnings, I hope. At this level, for every team, you have to learn from what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse the cause, to not concede the goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and five by Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? So, we have we have done plenty of good things. Yet how many attempts had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. How many shots on target for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded we can see is high. We have to be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations with key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list for the club. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

This allows Wilson free to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement set to expire in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's efforts are being treated with a certain importance.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s deal was significantly better than I was expecting,” said Wilson. “But it’s well known that we would want to renew Tino’s contract and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the home game with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to be sidelined for at least a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start Against Brighton

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup for the side face Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager remarked. “I am positive it will not be repeated as 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 intense pressure facing his team, currently in the relegation zone before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's a reality. We have to confront it. We are battling for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place as Arsenal’s centre-forward even when their regular strikers return from injury. Merino has been deployed as an emergency No 9 because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the opener against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second during a 2-0 win which preserved {their|