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This week's Premier League developments, a key midfielder was issued a substantial ban, a head coach has pointed to a player's errors to make an argument, and Pep Guardiola has demanded defensive improvements after an erratic win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Match Suspension and Fine

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was given a four-game suspension and a £15,000 fine following improper behaviour in October's match against Leeds United. The governing body said the player was referred an independent regulatory commission after allegations where he spat towards away fans at the 67th mark during a 2-0 victory for Burnley.

An FA release said: “A disciplinary panel has punished the Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during their Premier League match against Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that he behaved in breach of the laws of football and/or in an improper way by engaging in offensive and unacceptable conduct through spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United fans.”

It added, “Mejbri later accepted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-game ban and £15,000 following proceedings. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for the sanction are to be released in due course.” Burnley, now in 19th place in the table, travel to 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

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

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has stated that not having seasoned players is no a problem for his team, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from having a bad game during the defeat against Leeds United.

Maresca, who oversees the most youthful squad in the Premier League, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in the setback. He made his case by criticising Tosin, Chelsea's most experienced player in the lineup, who delivered a mistake-riddled display in central defence.

“We always talk about experience after we fail to win,” the coach stated. “When we defeated Barcelona, we drew against Arsenal, nobody was mentioning experienced players. I know that if we lose, people are constantly searching for the reason why, but I think why we didn’t win to Leeds is not because of the experience, it’s because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who was the most senior player for us in the match? It was Tosin. Was he good? So, it isn't related to experience. It's that those 11 players, they were simply not up to standard.”

3. Guardiola Insists Defence 'Has to Improve'

The Manchester City manager has stated the champions have learnt from their recent scare against Fulham and the game has now been forgotten. The team held on to claim a 5-4 victory during a remarkable clash at Craven Cottage, having led 5-1 with about 60 minutes gone.

This followed they resisted a Leeds fightback to win 3-2 in their previous game, prompting more questions about if they are the defensive steel enough to sustain a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola said. “Valuable lessons, I hope. At this level, for every team, you have to take onboard what happens in the good things and results and think of what's next.”

“Naturally I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to understand what happened, so as not to allow the goals. After conceding three scored by Leeds, and five goals by Fulham it shows the two versions, right? Therefore, always we have done plenty of good things. But the number of shots on target had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is bad. How many shots on target did Fulham ? Five, six? So the average of shots conceded is too high. We must be better.”

Newcastle Prioritise on Livramento and Botman Deals

Newcastle United's new sporting director, Ross Wilson, has placed new deal negotiations with key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman the priority on his agenda for the club. He joined after leaving Nottingham Forest recently and is pleased that midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract extending to 2029 with an option until 2030.

That has left Wilson to prioritise talks for Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's agreement ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's talks have assumed a certain importance.

“My first few days after starting was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation is much better than I had thought,” he stated. “But it’s no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. These talks are ongoing.”

Head coach Eddie Howe will be missing Botman against the match against Burnley this Saturday, and he expected to be out for another week.

Nuno Says Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed that Lucas Paquetá will return to start when the side play Brighton on Sunday, having completed a ban following a red card he received Liverpool.

“That incident is behind us,” Nuno remarked. “I am confident it won't happen again as he himself acknowledged the error. We discussed it in the dressing room. I am positive the matter is closed and it will not happen again.”

Nuno also understands the significant pressure on his side, currently 18th before the weekend fixtures. “We cannot ignore it,” he admitted. “It is the situation. We have to confront it. We're fighting for our top-flight status. We can't hide it.”

6. Arteta Impressed by No 9 Deputy Merino

The Spanish midfielder may keep his place leading the line for Arsenal central striker even when the club's usual frontmen return from injury. Merino has been playing as a makeshift No 9 because of injuries to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

He scored Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford before assisting Bukayo Saka for the second goal during a 2-0 victory which preserved {their|