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From the world of Premier League developments, a significant player was handed a lengthy suspension, a head coach has singled out a player's mistakes to prove an argument, and the Manchester City manager has demanded defensive improvements after an erratic victory.

1. Mejbri Issued Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match ban and a £15,000 fine for improper behaviour during October's fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed the player faced an independent disciplinary panel after allegations of spitting towards away fans around the 67th mark during a 2-0 win by Burnley.

A release explained: “A disciplinary panel has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri due to misconduct in their Premier League game with Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that he acted in breach of the laws of the game or in a poor manner by using offensive and unacceptable conduct through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters.”

It added, “Mejbri later accepted the allegation, with the panel imposed a four-match ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s full explanation for its decisions will be published in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the table, visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Tosin's Errors to Prove an Argument

The Blues' manager Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of experience is not a problem at club, highlighting how defender Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not prevent him from playing poorly in the defeat against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful team in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality was a factor in the poor result. He presented his argument by singling out Tosin, the oldest player in the lineup, who delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“People always talk about experience after we fail to win,” the coach stated. “After we beat Barcelona, the draw against Arsenal, no one was mentioning experienced personnel. I understand that when we lose, we are constantly looking for an explanation, but I think the reason why we lost against Leeds is not because of inexperience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

He added, “Who is the oldest one for us on the pitch? It was Tosin. Did he play good? Therefore, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Says Defence 'Has to Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has insisted the champions have learnt from their recent scare against Fulham with the episode is now forgotten. The team held on for a 5-4 victory in a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about an hour played.

This followed they fought off a fightback and won 3-2 in the previous fixture, prompting more questions regarding if City are the defensive steel required to sustain a challenge to leaders Arsenal. “It’s behind us,” Guardiola said. “Valuable learnings, I hope. In the Premier League, for every team, one must learn from both good and bad performances and results and focus on the next one.”

“Naturally I’m concerned,” he admitted. “We are trying to understand the cause, to not concede the goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and five against Fulham it shows the two sides, correct? So, we have done plenty of good things. Yet how many attempts did Leeds have? Three? They scored two. That ratio is good. How many shots on target did Fulham have? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is is high. We must improve.”

Newcastle Prioritise New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal discussions involving important defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda for the club. Wilson arrived after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and was pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's a year later, the club's efforts are being treated with some urgency.

“My first few days in the job was when I discovered that Sandro’s contract situation is significantly better than I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s well known that the club would want to renew Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are underway.”

Head coach Eddie Howe is without Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be out for at least another week.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to the starting lineup when they play Brighton on Sunday, after serving a ban following a sending-off he received Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am positive it won't happen again because he personally acknowledged the error. We spoke internally. I believe it is over and will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant strain on his side, who are 18th ahead of Saturday's fixtures. “We cannot avoid it,” he admitted. “It's a reality. We must confront it. We're battling for our top-flight status. We can't shy away from it.”

Arteta Impressed by Striker Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place as Arsenal’s central striker despite the club's usual strikers are fit again. Merino has been deployed as an emergency No 9 due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the first goal against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second goal in a 2-0 victory that maintained {their|