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In the latest Premier League developments, a key player was issued a lengthy suspension, a head coach has singled out a defender's errors to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline improvements following an erratic win.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Game Ban and Fine

The Clarets' midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine following improper behaviour during October's match against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed the player faced an independent disciplinary panel after an incident where he spat in the direction of visiting fans at the 67-minute point during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

An FA release explained: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in their top-flight match against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the rules of football or in an improper manner and/or engaging in offensive and/or indecent conduct by spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri later admitted the allegation, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game ban and £15,000 after a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for the sanction are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently in 19th place in the Premier League table, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Make an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is no an issue for his club, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent him from playing poorly in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the Premier League, rejected the idea that mentality played a part in the poor result. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, the most experienced outfield player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“People always mention experience after we fail to win,” the coach stated. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I know that if we don’t win, people are constantly looking for the reason why, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of inexperience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one for us in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 men, they were not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have learnt from their recent thriller against Fulham and the game has now been forgotten. City survived for a 5-4 win during a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds comeback and won 3-2 in the prior fixture, it raised further doubts about whether City are resilient required to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he commented. “Good learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, one must learn from what happens performances and bad things and focus on what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse what happened, to not concede the goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and the five goals by Fulham you can see our versions, right? Therefore, always done plenty of positive things. Yet how many shots on target did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded is too high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions with key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. Wilson arrived from Nottingham Forest in October and was reassured that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a deal that runs to 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson free to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement 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 after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that we wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against the home game with Burnley on Saturday, and he likely to remain sidelined for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for the side play Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not happen again because he himself admitted the error. We discussed it about it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and will not happen again.”

He also understands the significant pressure on his side, who are 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he said. “It's the situation. We must confront it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when their regular frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been deployed as a makeshift No 9 because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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