FPL Gameweek 21 Review: Brentford Dominate, Barnes Explodes
Brentford lead with 6.00 average as Harvey Barnes' two-goal masterclass headlines a strong returns gameweek with 41.4% achieving more than 2 points.
Gameweek 21 delivered excellent returns with 41.4% of players achieving more than 2 points, a significant improvement from GW20. Our live FPL tracker analyzed all 295 players and witnessed Brentford's dominant home display alongside Newcastle's seven-goal thriller against Leeds. The high-profile Arsenal vs Liverpool goalless draw provided defensive value while multiple teams capitalized on favorable fixtures. Here are the essential insights for optimizing your FPL captain picks going forward.
Top Performers by Position
Exceptional individual performances across multiple positions showcased diverse routes to FPL success.
Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher (13pts) ⭐
Brentford's Kelleher delivered an outstanding 13-point return in their 3-0 home demolition of Sunderland. His clean sheet combined with 3 saves and bonus points demonstrates the value available from goalkeepers in dominant team performances. Alisson Becker (10pts) provided Liverpool's answer with his clean sheet and 4 saves in the goalless draw at Arsenal.
Defender: Nathan Collins (13pts) ⭐
Brentford's Collins delivered an excellent 13-point defensive return with an assist, clean sheet, and bonus in their 3-0 home victory. His attacking involvement from set pieces showcases why defenders from dominant teams offer multi-route returns. Canvot (10pts) and Digne (9pts) provided solid alternatives with clean sheet contributions.
Midfielder: Harvey Barnes (15pts) ⭐⭐
The performance of the gameweek. Newcastle's Barnes delivered a stunning 15-point haul with two goals and maximum bonus in their thrilling 4-3 home victory over Leeds. His brace demonstrates the explosive ceiling available from attacking midfielders in high-scoring matches. Brenden Aaronson (14pts) provided Leeds' counter with his own two-goal haul in the same match.
Forward: Benjamin Sesko (13pts) ⭐
Manchester United's Sesko delivered an excellent 13-point haul with two goals and maximum bonus in their 2-2 away draw at Burnley. His clinical finishing demonstrates the ceiling available from in-form strikers finding consistency. Yoane Wissa Thiago (12pts) continued his strong form with a brace for Brentford.
Team Performance Analysis
Best Performing Teams
Brentford (6.00 average) ⭐
Brentford delivered the gameweek's standout team performance with a dominant 6.00 average following their 3-0 home demolition of Sunderland. Kelleher's 13-point haul, Collins' 13 points, and Thiago's continued form (12pts) anchored this comprehensive display. Brentford's home dominance at the Gtech Community Stadium makes their assets premium selections for FPL tracker users.
Liverpool (4.92 average)
Liverpool delivered an excellent 4.92 average in their goalless away draw at Arsenal. Alisson's 10-point clean sheet, Kerkez's 9 points, and solid defensive contributions throughout showcased their organization against elite opposition. Liverpool's defensive reliability makes their assets attractive for difficult fixtures.
Crystal Palace (4.42 average)
Palace delivered a solid 4.42 average in their goalless home draw with Aston Villa. Canvot's 10-point defensive return and Henderson's 7 points demonstrate their defensive organization continues providing clean sheet value at Selhurst Park.
Newcastle (3.81 average)
Despite conceding 3 goals in their thrilling 4-3 home victory over Leeds, Newcastle delivered a respectable 3.81 average. Barnes' 15-point haul and Bruno Guimaraes' 11 points compensated for defensive struggles. Newcastle's attacking threat makes their offensive assets valuable despite clean sheet inconsistency.
Teams to Avoid
Sunderland (1.19 average) ⚠️
Sunderland suffered the gameweek's worst performance with a dire 1.19 average in their 3-0 away demolition at Brentford. Their complete collapse makes them one of the season's most challenging teams to own, particularly for away fixtures against organized defenses.
Chelsea (1.80 average)
Chelsea's 2-1 away defeat at Fulham resulted in a poor 1.80 average. Their continued struggles away from Stamford Bridge confirm venue-based rotation remains essential for Chelsea asset management, with home fixtures the only reliable selections.
West Ham (2.21 average)
West Ham's 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest resulted in a disappointing 2.21 average. Their home vulnerability (losing to Forest at the London Stadium) makes their assets risky selections regardless of fixture difficulty on paper.
Wolves (2.50 average) & Brighton (2.53 average)
Both teams delivered underwhelming returns in draws (Wolves 1-1 at Everton, Brighton 1-1 at Man City). Their inconsistency in away fixtures suggests cautious asset management with venue-based selection essential for optimizing returns.
Key FPL Statistics - Strong Returns!
Of the 295 players who featured in Gameweek 21:
- 41.4% (122 players) returned more than 2 points - excellent improvement from GW20's 36.6%!
- 23.7% (70 players) achieved 5+ point returns - strong improvement from GW20's 20.1%!
These statistics represent the second-best returns environment of recent weeks, approaching GW19's exceptional 43.2% level. The improvement to 41.4% greater than 2pts combined with 23.7% achieving 5+ points creates favorable conditions for rank advancement. The Newcastle-Leeds thriller (7 goals) and Brentford's clean sheet dominance (3-0) demonstrate diverse scoring routes remain available. Using comprehensive fantasy premier league tools to identify explosive performers becomes crucial for maximizing gains.
Notable Results & Talking Points
Newcastle Edge Seven-Goal Thriller Against Leeds
Newcastle's thrilling 4-3 home victory showcased attacking fireworks with Barnes' 15-point brace and Bruno G's continued form (11pts). Aaronson's 14-point response for Leeds demonstrates both teams offer attacking value despite defensive concerns. This result confirms Newcastle-Leeds fixtures warrant aggressive captaincy consideration.
Brentford Demolish Sunderland 3-0
Brentford's comprehensive home victory (6.00 vs 1.19 average) delivered the gameweek's best team display. Kelleher, Collins, and Thiago all delivering double-digit returns demonstrates their multi-route potential. Brentford's home dominance makes them essential targets for fixture-based selection.
Arsenal vs Liverpool Defensive Masterclass
The goalless draw between Arsenal (3.00 avg) and Liverpool (4.92 avg) rewarded defensive investors from both sides. Alisson's 10 points, Kerkez's 9 points, and solid returns throughout showcase the value available when elite defenses meet. Premium defensive coverage from big-six teams continues providing reliable floor.
Sesko Continues Hot Form
Manchester United's Sesko delivered 13 points with a brace in their 2-2 away draw at Burnley. His continued goalscoring (now multiple hauls) suggests he's finding consistency as United's focal point. Monitor his price and ownership for differential value assessment.
Tactical Takeaways for FPL Managers
1. Brentford Home = Premium Value
Brentford's 6.00 average at home continues their exceptional Gtech Community Stadium form. Their assets (Kelleher, Collins, Thiago) offer multi-route returns with clean sheets and attacking contributions. Prioritize Brentford coverage for home fixtures in your planning.
2. High-Scoring Matches Reward Bold Captaincy
The Newcastle-Leeds 4-3 thriller delivered Barnes (15pts) and Aaronson (14pts) in a single match. Identifying fixtures with attacking potential from both teams creates opportunities for explosive differential captaincy gains when template picks blank.
3. Big-Six Defensive Assets Provide Reliable Floor
The Arsenal-Liverpool 0-0 draw showcases how premium defensive coverage from top teams provides reliable floor points even in difficult fixtures. Alisson, Kerkez, and Arsenal defenders all returned despite the attacking stalemate.
4. Returns Environment Stabilizing Strong
The improvement to 41.4% greater than 2pts suggests we're stabilizing in a favorable returns environment. Combined with 23.7% reaching 5+ points, conditions support aggressive transfer and captaincy strategies. Capitalize while the environment rewards differential thinking.
Looking Ahead: Transfer Priorities
Based on Gameweek 21 data and improving returns environment, consider these strategic moves for your FPL squad:
Priority Targets
Brentford home specialists for multi-route returns (Kelleher 13pts, Collins 13pts, Thiago 12pts), Newcastle attacking midfielders (Barnes 15pts, Bruno G 11pts), Liverpool defensive coverage (Alisson 10pts, Kerkez 9pts), and Man United forwards (Sesko 13pts). Premium assets from teams with favorable upcoming fixtures.
Consider Offloading
Sunderland assets after disastrous 1.19 average, Chelsea away specialists (1.80 at Fulham), West Ham home players (2.21 vs Forest), and inconsistent Brighton/Wolves coverage (2.50-2.53 in draws). Prioritize venue-based rotation for struggling teams.
Differential Options
Leeds attackers for high-scoring fixtures (Aaronson 14pts despite defeat), Fulham home assets (Berge 10pts, Wilson 9pts), Nottingham Forest attackers (Dominguez 10pts, Gibbs-White 9pts), and Crystal Palace defensive coverage (Canvot 10pts). Monitor Barnes ownership after 15-point explosion.
Monitor Closely
Arsenal attacking stagnation (0-0 vs Liverpool), Man City inconsistency (1-1 vs Brighton), Tottenham struggles (3-2 defeat at Bournemouth), and Aston Villa away form (0-0 at Palace). Wait for clearer form indicators before committing to premium-priced assets from these teams.
Maximize Returns with FPL Pulse
Gameweek 21's strong 41.4% returns and Brentford's dominant 6.00 average confirm favorable conditions continue for FPL gains. FPL Pulse provides the comprehensive live FPL tracking you need to identify explosive performers before ownership rises.
From tracking elite performances (Barnes 15pts, Kelleher 13pts, Collins 13pts, Sesko 13pts) to identifying venue-dependent patterns (Brentford 6.00 at home, Sunderland 1.19 away) and monitoring improving returns (41.4% greater than 2pts), our suite of fantasy premier league tools helps you make smarter decisions in this rewarding environment.
FAQs
- Who were the top performers in FPL Gameweek 21?
- Harvey Barnes delivered a stunning 15-point midfield haul for Newcastle with two goals and maximum bonus in their thrilling 4-3 victory over Leeds. Brenden Aaronson (14pts) provided Leeds' response with his own brace. Multiple 13-point hauls came from Kelleher, Collins (both Brentford), and Sesko (Man United).
- Which teams had the best average points in GW21?
- Brentford led with an outstanding 6.00 average following their 3-0 home demolition of Sunderland. Liverpool (4.92) delivered solid returns in their goalless draw at Arsenal, while Crystal Palace (4.42) benefited from clean sheet points in their 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa.
- Should I transfer in Harvey Barnes after his 15-point haul?
- Barnes' two-goal haul demonstrates his explosive ceiling from Newcastle's attacking system. However, the 4-3 scoreline shows defensive vulnerability. Consider Barnes as a high-risk, high-reward differential with fixture difficulty analysis essential before committing.
- Did FPL returns improve from Gameweek 20?
- Yes, returns improved significantly to 41.4% achieving >2pts, up from GW20's 36.6%. The 23.7% achieving 5+ points also increased from 20.1%. This represents strong conditions approaching GW19's exceptional levels, creating good opportunities for rank advancement.