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This week's Premier League developments, a notable midfielder has been handed a substantial ban, a manager has singled out a player's errors to prove a point, and the Manchester City manager has demanded backline improvements following a wild victory.

1. Mejbri Handed Four-Match Ban and Financial Penalty

Burnley's midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game suspension and a £15,000 fine following misconduct during a recent fixture against Leeds United. The Football Association confirmed Mejbri was referred an independent disciplinary panel after allegations where he spat in the direction of away fans at the 67-minute mark during a 2-0 win for Burnley.

An FA statement read: “A disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct in their top-flight game with Leeds on 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the rules of football and/or in an improper manner by engaging in offensive and/or indecent conduct by spitting towards the area of Leeds United supporters.”

It continued, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the allegation, and the panel imposed a four-match suspension and £15,000 after proceedings. The panel's written reasons for the sanction are to be released in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the standings, travel to 12th-placed Newcastle this Saturday.

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

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that a lack of seasoned players is not a problem at club, pointing out how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's years did not stop him from having poorly during a 3-1 loss against Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who manages the most youthful team in the Premier League, does not feel that mentality played a part in their setback. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's oldest player in the lineup, who delivered an error-strewn display at the back.

“We always talk about experience when we drop points,” the coach said. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, no one was talking about older personnel. I know that if we don’t win, we are always looking for an explanation, but in my view why we lost to Leeds was not down to the experience, it’s because we just weren't at our best.”

He added, “Who was the most senior player on our team in the match? It was Tosin. Did he play good? So, it’s not about his age. It’s about those 11 men, they were not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Get Better'

Pep Guardiola has stated the champions have taken lessons from their midweek scare against Fulham with the game has now been forgotten. City survived for a 5-4 win during a incredible encounter at Craven Cottage, after leading 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

Coming after they fought off a comeback to win 3-2 in their prior game, prompting further doubts regarding whether they possess the defensive steel enough to mount a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is forgotten,” he commented. “Good lessons, hopefully. In the Premier League, for every team, one must learn from both good and bad performances and results and think of the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” he admitted. “We are trying to analyse the cause, to not concede the goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and five goals by Fulham it shows our versions, correct? So, always we have done plenty of good things. Yet the number of shots on target did Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of chances conceded we can see is high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus New Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's recently appointed football chief, Ross Wilson, has made new deal negotiations involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his to-do list for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased that playmaker Sandro Tonali is on a contract extending to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson free to prioritise negotiations for Livramento and Botman's agents. With the former’s agreement set to expire in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, the club's talks are being treated with a certain urgency.

“The initial few days after starting was when I discovered that Sandro’s deal was significantly more secure than I was expecting,” said Wilson. “However, it is no secret that we would want to renew Tino’s deal and we wants to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are underway.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the home game against Burnley on Saturday, with the defender likely to remain out for at least another week.

Nuno Confirms Paquetá Returns for West Ham

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

“It is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am positive it won't happen again because he personally acknowledged the error. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I believe the matter is closed and it will not happen again.”

He also understands the intense pressure on his side, currently in the relegation zone ahead of the weekend matches. “We can't ignore it,” he said. “It's the situation. We have to confront it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We cannot hide it.”

Arteta Pleased with Striker Deputy Merino

Mikel Merino could continue as Arsenal’s centre-forward despite their regular frontmen are fit again. Merino has been playing as an emergency No 9 because of injuries for Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Merino found the net for the opener against Brentford and set up Bukayo Saka for their second during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|