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From the world of top-flight developments, a notable midfielder has been issued a substantial suspension, a head coach has pointed out a defender's errors to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive improvements following an erratic victory.

Mejbri Given Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri has been given a four-game suspension and a financial fine for improper behaviour during October's fixture against Leeds United. The governing body confirmed the player faced an independent disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting towards away supporters at the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA release said: “An independent disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during their top-flight match against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he acted against the laws of the game or in a poor way and/or engaging in abusive and indecent behaviour through spitting towards the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, and the panel imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The panel's written reasons for its decisions are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

Maresca Points to Tosin's Errors to Prove a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem for his club, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having poorly during a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the youngest squad in the division, does not feel that inexperience played a part in their poor result. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the most experienced player on the pitch, who produced a mistake-riddled performance in central defence.

“People always mention experience after we drop points,” Maresca said. “After we beat Barcelona, we drew with Arsenal, nobody was talking about older personnel. I understand that if we don’t win, people are always looking for an explanation, but I think why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player on our team on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play any good? So, it’s not about his age. It's that those 11 players, they were not good enough.”

Guardiola Insists Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

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

Coming after they resisted a fightback to win 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting further doubts regarding if City are the defensive steel required to sustain a challenge against pace-setters Arsenal. “It’s forgotten,” he said. “Valuable learnings, hopefully. In the Premier League, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard both good and bad in the good things and bad things and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse what happened, so as not to concede the goals. With the three goals against Leeds, and the five by Fulham it shows our versions, right? Therefore, we have done many positive things. But how many attempts had Leeds ? Three? They scored two. It’s not good. And attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded we can see is high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Contracts

The Magpies' new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made contract discussions involving important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's talks have assumed some importance.

“My first few days in the job is when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is much more secure than I had thought,” he stated. “However, it is well known that the club wishes to renew Tino’s deal and also wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is missing Botman for the match with Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to remain out for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban following a sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” the manager said. “I am confident it will not be repeated because he personally acknowledged 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 strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend matches. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We must confront it. We are fighting for survival. We can't hide it.”

6. Arteta Pleased with Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker despite their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 win which preserved {their|