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In the latest Premier League news, a key player was issued a substantial ban, a manager has pointed out a player's errors to prove a point, and Pep Guardiola has demanded backline betterment after a wild win.

Mejbri Handed Four-Game Suspension and Financial Penalty

Burnley's player Hannibal Mejbri was handed a four-match suspension and a £15,000 penalty following improper behaviour in a recent match against Leeds United. The governing body stated the player was referred a separate regulatory commission after an incident of spitting towards away supporters at the 67-minute mark during a 2-0 victory by Burnley.

An FA statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has punished Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for his actions during the top-flight game with Leeds of 18 October. The charge was that the player behaved in breach of the rules of the game or in a poor manner by engaging in offensive and unacceptable conduct through spitting at or in the area of Leeds United supporters.”

The statement added, “Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, with the Regulatory Commission handing down a four-game ban and £15,000 following a hearing. The panel's full explanation for its decisions will be published in due course.” Burnley, currently 19th in the table, visit 12th-place Newcastle this Saturday.

2. Maresca Singles Out Adarabioyo's Errors to Make a Point

The Blues' head coach Enzo Maresca has argued that a lack of seasoned players is not an issue at club, highlighting how centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo's age did not stop him from having poorly during the loss to Leeds United.

The Italian coach, who oversees the most youthful squad in the division, does not feel that inexperience was a factor in the poor result. He made his argument by criticising Tosin, the oldest outfield player on the pitch, who delivered a mistake-riddled performance at the back.

“People always mention a lack of experience after we drop points,” the coach said. “When we beat Barcelona, the draw with Arsenal, nobody was mentioning older personnel. I know that when we don’t win, we are always searching for an explanation, but in my view the reason why we lost against Leeds was not down to inexperience, it was because we were not at our best.”

Maresca continued, “Who is the oldest one on our team on the pitch? Who was? Did he play good? So, it’s not about experience. It’s about those 11 players, they were not up to standard.”

Guardiola Says Defensive Solidity 'Must Improve'

The Manchester City manager has insisted his team have taken lessons from their recent thriller at Fulham and the game is now forgotten. The team held on for a 5-4 victory during a incredible encounter on Tuesday, having led 5-1 with almost an hour gone.

This followed they resisted a Leeds fightback and won 3-2 in the prior fixture, prompting more questions regarding if they are the defensive steel enough to mount a title challenge to leaders Arsenal. “That game is behind us,” Guardiola commented. “Good lessons, I hope. At this level, at all the clubs, you have to take onboard what happens performances and bad things and focus on the next one.”

“Of course I am worried,” Guardiola added. “We are trying to analyse what happened, to not allow the goals. After conceding three by Leeds, and the five by Fulham you can see our sides, correct? Therefore, we have done plenty of positive things. Yet how many attempts had Leeds have? Three? Scored two. That ratio is good. And shots on target for Fulham ? Five, six? So, our ratio of shots conceded is too high. We must improve.”

4. Newcastle Focus on Defenders' Deals

The Magpies' recently appointed sporting director, Ross Wilson, has made new deal discussions involving key defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman at the top of his agenda at St James’ Park. Wilson joined after leaving Nottingham Forest in October and is pleased to learn midfielder Sandro Tonali has a contract extending until 2029 and, potentially, 2030.

This allows Wilson to focus on negotiations with Livramento and Botman's representatives. Livramento's current deal ending in 2027 and Botman's in 2028, Newcastle's talks are being treated with a certain urgency.

“My first few days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s deal is significantly more secure than the one I had thought,” said Wilson. “However, it is well known that the club wishes to renew Tino’s contract and also would want to extend Sven Botman’s as well. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Manager Eddie Howe will be missing Botman for the match with Burnley on Saturday, and he expected to be out for at least a further period.

5. Nuno Confirms Paquetá Will Start for West Ham

The Hammers' head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that Lucas Paquetá will return to start for the side face Brighton this Sunday, having completed a ban for the sending-off against Liverpool.

“It is in the past,” Nuno said. “I am confident it will not happen again as he personally acknowledged the error. We spoke about it internally. I believe it is over and will not happen again.”

Nuno also acknowledged the significant strain facing his team, who are in the relegation zone before Saturday's matches. “We can't avoid it,” he admitted. “It's the situation. We have to confront it. We are 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 frontmen return from injury. The midfielder has been playing as a makeshift number nine due to fitness issues to Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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