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In the latest Premier League news, a significant midfielder was given a lengthy suspension, a manager has pointed to a player's mistakes to make a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment following an erratic win.

Mejbri Issued Four-Game Ban and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-game suspension and a £15,000 penalty following improper behaviour during a recent match against Leeds United. The Football Association said the player was referred an independent regulatory commission following an incident where he spat in the direction of visiting fans at the 67th mark of a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA release said: “An independent disciplinary panel has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in the Premier League game against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved against the laws of football or in a poor way by using offensive and/or unacceptable conduct through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, with the panel imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions are to be released in due course.” The team, now in 19th place in the standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Prove an Argument

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is not a problem at team, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop the 28-year-old from having poorly in the loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in their setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player in the lineup, after he delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always talk about experience when we fail to win,” the coach stated. “After we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, no one was talking about older players. I understand that if we lose, we are always looking for the reason why, but I think the reason why we lost to Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we were not good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the oldest one for us on the pitch? Who was? Did he play any good? So, it isn't related to his age. It’s about those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted the champions have learnt from a midweek thriller against Fulham and the game is now in the past. The team held on for a 5-4 win in a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost 60 minutes played.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding whether they are the defensive steel required to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. At this level, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens performances and results and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand the cause, to not concede so many goals. With the three goals scored against Leeds, and the five by Fulham it shows the two sides, right? So, we have we have done many positive things. But how many shots on target had Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded we can see too high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Defenders' Contracts

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions with important 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 playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's representatives. With the former’s agreement set to expire in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's talks have assumed a certain urgency.

“My first few days in the job was when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was significantly better than the one I was expecting,” said Wilson. “But it’s no secret that we would want to renew Tino’s deal and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman against the match against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to remain sidelined for a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side face Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” the manager said. “I am positive it will not be repeated as he himself acknowledged his mistake. We spoke about it internally. I am positive the matter is closed and will not happen again.”

He also acknowledged the intense strain on his side, currently 18th ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We can't ignore it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We must confront it. We're fighting for survival. We can't shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder could continue as Arsenal’s central striker despite their regular frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as an emergency 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 their second in a 2-0 win which preserved {their|