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This week's Premier League updates, a significant midfielder was given a significant ban, a head coach has singled to a defender's errors to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline improvements after an erratic victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Match Ban and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was issued a four-game ban and a £15,000 penalty for improper behaviour in October's fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri was referred an independent disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting in the direction of away fans around the 67-minute mark of a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A release read: “A Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct during the Premier League game with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player acted in breach of the laws of the game and/or in an improper way by engaging in abusive and/or unacceptable behaviour through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement continued, “Mejbri later admitted the charge, and the panel handing down a four-game suspension and £15,000 after a hearing. The panel's written reasons for its decisions will be published at a later date.” The team, now 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-place Newcastle on Saturday.

Maresca Points to Adarabioyo's Mistakes to Make a Point

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that not having experience is not a problem for his club, pointing out that centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from playing poorly during the loss against Leeds United.

Maresca, who manages the youngest team in the division, does not feel that mentality was a factor in the setback. He made his argument by singling out Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced outfield player on the pitch, after he produced an error-strewn display at the back.

“People always mention a lack of experience after we fail to win,” Maresca said. “When we defeated Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was talking about experienced players. I understand that when we lose, we are constantly searching for an explanation, but in my view why we lost against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we were not good enough.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the most senior player on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play good? So, it isn't related to experience. It’s about those 11 men, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Get Better'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have taken lessons from their midweek scare against Fulham with the game is now forgotten. City held on to claim a 5-4 win in a incredible clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about an hour played.

Coming after they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in the previous fixture, prompting further doubts regarding whether City are resilient enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” he said. “Good learnings, I hope. At this level, for every team, one must take onboard both good and bad in the good things and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse the cause, so as not to allow so many goals. After conceding three against Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see the two sides, correct? So, always done many good things. But the number of attempts did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. It’s not bad. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded is too high. We have to improve.”

4. Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's new football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving key backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest recently and was pleased 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 talks with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed some urgency.

“My first few days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation was much better than I was expecting,” he stated. “But it’s well known that we would want to renew Tino’s contract and we would want to renew Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe is without Botman for the home game against Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to be sidelined for at least another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá is back to start for they face Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban for the red card against Liverpool.

“It is behind us,” Nuno said. “I am positive it will not happen again as he personally acknowledged the error. We spoke internally. I believe the matter is closed and it will not be repeated.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, currently 18th before Saturday's matches. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We must face it. We are fighting for survival. We cannot shy away from it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by Striker Stand-in Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when the club's usual frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s first goal versus Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for the second goal in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|