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This week's top-flight updates, a key midfielder has been handed a significant suspension, a manager has singled out a defender's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline betterment after an erratic victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-game suspension and a financial penalty following misconduct during a recent match against Leeds United. The Football Association stated the player was referred an independent disciplinary panel following an incident of spitting towards visiting fans around the 67th point of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA release read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the laws of the game or in a poor manner and/or engaging in abusive and indecent conduct by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

The statement added, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-match ban and £15,000 following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions are to be released in due course.” The team, currently in 19th place in the table, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is not a problem at team, highlighting that defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having poorly in the 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 their setback. He presented his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player in the lineup, who delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always talk about a lack of experience after we fail to win,” the coach said. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was talking about older players. I know that if we don’t win, we are constantly searching for the reason why, but I think the reason why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one on our team on the pitch? Who was? Was he good? Therefore, it isn't related to his age. It's that those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

Guardiola Insists Defence 'Must Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have learnt from their recent thriller against Fulham with the game has now been forgotten. City held on for a 5-4 win during a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in the prior game, prompting more questions about whether City possess resilient enough to sustain a title challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. At this level, for every team, you have to learn from what happens in the good things and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to understand what happened, so as not to concede so many goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and five goals against Fulham you can see the two versions, correct? Therefore, always done plenty of good things. Yet the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. And attempts did Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded we can see is high. We have to improve.”

Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Contracts

The Magpies' recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions with important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list at St James’ Park. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured that midfielder Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to prioritise negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, the club's efforts are being treated with a certain urgency.

“My first three or four days in the job is when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was significantly better than I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is no secret that the club would want to extend Tino’s contract and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s too. These talks are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe is missing Botman against the match with Burnley this Saturday, with the defender expected to remain sidelined for another week.

5. Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when they play Brighton this Sunday, after serving his suspension for the red card he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it will not be repeated as he himself acknowledged the error. We spoke about it internally. I believe the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the intense pressure on his side, currently 18th before the weekend matches. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We must confront it. We're battling for survival. We can't hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with No 9 Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift No 9 because of fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored the first goal against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|