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From the world of top-flight updates, a key midfielder was given a significant suspension, a manager has singled out a player's mistakes to make an argument, and the Manchester City manager has called for backline betterment after a wild victory.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Fine

The Clarets' player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-match suspension and a £15,000 penalty following improper behaviour during a recent fixture versus Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri faced an independent regulatory commission following an incident where he spat towards visiting fans at the 67-minute mark during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

A statement said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during their top-flight match against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he behaved in breach of the laws of football or in a poor manner and/or engaging in offensive and indecent conduct through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri subsequently accepted the charge, and the panel handing down a four-match suspension and a fine after a hearing. The panel's written reasons for its decisions are to be released at a later date.” The team, now in 19th place in the Premier League standings, visit 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Mistakes to Make a Point

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is not a problem at club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not prevent the 28-year-old from playing poorly during a 3-1 loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, rejected the idea that inexperience played a part in the setback. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always mention a lack of experience when we fail to win,” the coach said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was talking about experienced personnel. I understand that when we don’t win, people are always searching for the reason why, but in my view the reason why we didn’t win against Leeds was not down to the experience, it was because we just weren't good enough.”

He added, “Who was the oldest one on our team on the pitch? Who was? Was he any good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It's that those 11 men, they were not good enough.”

3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from their midweek scare against Fulham and the game has now been in the past. City held on to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with almost an hour played.

Coming after they fought off a comeback and won 3-2 in their previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding whether City possess the defensive steel enough to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Good lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, one must take onboard what happens performances and results and think of the next one.”

“Naturally I am worried,” he admitted. “We try to analyse the cause, to not concede so many goals. With the three goals by Leeds, and five goals against Fulham it shows the two versions, correct? So, we have we have done plenty of positive things. But the number of shots on target did Leeds ? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. And attempts for Fulham have? Five, six? So our ratio of chances conceded is is high. We must be better.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions with important backline players Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his to-do list at St James’ Park. He joined from Nottingham Forest recently and was reassured that playmaker Sandro Tonali has a deal that runs until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

That has left Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s current deal ending in 2027 and the latter’s a year later, Newcastle's talks are being treated with a certain importance.

“The initial three or four days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was significantly better than I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that we wishes to renew Tino’s contract and we wants to renew Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the home game against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender expected to remain out for a further period.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá is back to start when they play Brighton on Sunday, having completed his suspension following a sending-off against Liverpool.

“That incident is in the past,” the manager said. “I am confident it won't be repeated because he himself acknowledged his mistake. We discussed it about it internally. I am positive it is over and will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the significant pressure on his side, who are 18th ahead of the weekend fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is a reality. We have to confront it. We're battling for survival. We can't hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with No 9 Stand-in Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal centre-forward even when their regular strikers are fit again. The midfielder has been deployed as an emergency number nine due to injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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