FPL Gameweek 23 Review: Estevao Stars, Forest Dominate Away
Nottingham Forest lead with 5.71 average as Estevao's 13-point midfield masterclass headlines a gameweek with 37.0% achieving more than 2 points.
Gameweek 23 delivered solid returns with 37.0% of players achieving more than 2 points, slightly down from GW22's excellent 41.9%. Our live FPL tracker analyzed all 303 players and witnessed Nottingham Forest's dominant away victory at Brentford alongside Man United's shock 3-2 win at Arsenal. Chelsea's Estevao emerged as the standout performer while Wolves suffered a catastrophic 1.14 average. Here are the essential insights for optimizing your FPL captain picks going forward.
Top Performers by Position
Chelsea's away victory at Crystal Palace delivered exceptional individual performances, while clean sheets dominated the scoring across multiple positions.
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez (10pts) ⭐
Aston Villa's Martinez delivered an outstanding 10-point return in their comprehensive 2-0 away victory at Newcastle. His clean sheet combined with save points and maximum bonus demonstrates the value available from goalkeepers in dominant defensive displays. Donnarumma (8pts) impressed for Man City with a clean sheet against Wolves, while Sels (6pts) and Dubravka (5pts) provided alternatives.
Defender: Matheus Nunes, Aina & Romero (11pts each) ⭐⭐
Three defenders shared the position's top honors with 11 points each. Man City's Matheus Nunes contributed an assist, clean sheet, and maximum bonus in their 2-0 win over Wolves. Ola Aina delivered for Nottingham Forest with an assist, clean sheet, and bonus in their away win at Brentford. Cristian Romero scored for Spurs in their 2-2 draw at Burnley. Van Dijk (9pts) and Justin (9pts) provided goal-scoring returns.
Midfielder: Estevao & Szoboszlai (13pts each) ⭐⭐
The performance of the gameweek. Chelsea's Estevao delivered a stunning 13-point haul with a goal, assist, clean sheet, and bonus in their dominant 3-1 away victory at Crystal Palace. Dominik Szoboszlai matched him for Liverpool with a goal, assist, and maximum bonus despite their shock 2-3 defeat at Bournemouth. Buendia (11pts) and Ayari (11pts) provided Villa and Brighton returns respectively.
Forward: Joao Pedro & Bowen (12pts each) ⭐
Two forwards shared the top honors with 12 points each. Chelsea's Joao Pedro contributed a goal, assist, clean sheet, and maximum bonus in their 3-1 win at Palace. Jarrod Bowen delivered for West Ham with a goal, assist, and bonus in their 3-1 home victory over Sunderland. Kyle Barry (9pts) and Igor Jesus (9pts) provided alternatives.
Team Performance Analysis
Best Performing Teams
Nottingham Forest (5.71 average) ⭐
Forest delivered the gameweek's standout team performance with an impressive 5.71 average following their 2-0 away victory at Brentford. Ola Aina's 11-point haul, Igor Jesus's 9 points, and Sels's 6-point clean sheet anchored this excellent away display. Forest's defensive organization and away form makes their assets attractive for FPL tracker users seeking differentials.
Manchester City (5.21 average)
City bounced back with an excellent 5.21 average from their dominant 2-0 home victory over Wolves. Matheus Nunes' 11-point haul, Donnarumma's 8-point goalkeeper return, and solid defensive contributions demonstrate their recovery. City's home form and set-piece threat makes their assets worth reconsidering after recent struggles.
Aston Villa (4.75 average)
Villa delivered a strong 4.75 average in their 2-0 away victory at Newcastle. Martinez's 10-point goalkeeper return, Buendia's 11 points, and Watkins's 8 points showcase their balanced threat. Villa's away dominance continues providing reliable returns against struggling sides.
Chelsea (4.19 average)
Chelsea delivered a solid 4.19 average from their 3-1 away victory at Crystal Palace. Estevao's 13-point explosion and Joao Pedro's 12 points anchored a strong attacking display. Chelsea's attacking assets continue to deliver with their fluid front line creating consistent chances.
Teams to Avoid
Wolves (1.14 average) ⚠️
Wolves suffered the gameweek's worst performance with a catastrophic 1.14 average in their 0-2 away defeat to Manchester City. The comprehensive loss delivered no attacking returns and no defensive points, making their assets a complete disaster for FPL managers. Wolves' struggles continue to make them one of the season's most challenging teams to own.
Brentford (1.44 average)
Brentford's 0-2 home defeat to Forest resulted in a dire 1.44 average. Their home struggles against organized defenses are concerning, with the Bees failing to threaten in this fixture. Brentford assets require careful fixture analysis.
Arsenal (1.56 average) & Crystal Palace (1.56 average)
Both teams delivered disappointing 1.56 averages in home defeats. Arsenal's shock 2-3 loss to Man United at home is particularly concerning for their premium assets. Palace's 1-3 defeat to Chelsea continues their home struggles. Both teams face questions about their reliability.
Newcastle (1.67 average)
Newcastle's 0-2 home defeat to Aston Villa resulted in a poor 1.67 average. Their home vulnerability raises concerns about their defensive reliability, with Villa dominating at St James' Park. Monitor Newcastle's form carefully before committing to their assets.
Key FPL Statistics - Returns Normalize
Of the 303 players who featured in Gameweek 23:
- 37.0% (112 players) returned more than 2 points - down from GW22's 41.9%
- 21.8% (66 players) achieved 5+ point returns - down from GW22's 24.7%
These statistics represent a return to more typical conditions after two strong gameweeks. The drop to 37.0% greater than 2pts combined with 21.8% achieving 5+ points demonstrates tighter competition for returns. Forest's 5.71 average and multiple clean sheets 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
Man United Shock Arsenal 3-2 Away
United's stunning away victory at the Emirates (3.50 vs 1.56 average) delivered the gameweek's most surprising result. Mbeumo's 10-point haul led United's charge while Arsenal's premium assets blanked at home. This result raises serious questions about Arsenal's title credentials and United's potential as differential picks.
Liverpool Stumble at Bournemouth 2-3
Liverpool's shock defeat at Bournemouth (2.44 vs 3.71 average) continues their inconsistent away form. Szoboszlai's 13-point haul was a rare bright spot in a poor team performance. Bournemouth's home form makes them dangerous opponents for any visiting side.
Forest Continue Impressive Form
Forest's 2-0 away win at Brentford delivered the gameweek's best team average (5.71). Their defensive organization produced another clean sheet while Aina and Igor Jesus provided attacking contributions. Forest assets warrant serious consideration as they climb the table.
City Bounce Back Against Wolves
Man City's 2-0 home win over Wolves delivered their best performance in weeks with a 5.21 average. Donnarumma and Matheus Nunes both delivered double-digit returns, suggesting City may be finding form again. However, one performance against struggling Wolves doesn't confirm sustained improvement.
Tactical Takeaways for FPL Managers
1. Forest Assets Deserve Attention
Forest's 5.71 average and consistent clean sheets confirm their assets warrant consideration. Aina (11pts) offers attacking threat from defense, while Igor Jesus (9pts) provides forward value. Forest's defensive organization and away form makes doubling up viable.
2. Chelsea Attack Continues to Deliver
Estevao's 13-point explosion and Joao Pedro's 12 points showcase Chelsea's attacking potential. Their fluid front line creates consistent chances, making their attacking assets premium selections for managers seeking explosive ceiling.
3. Question Arsenal Premium Assets
Arsenal's 1.56 average from a home defeat raises serious concerns. Their premium assets like Saka are underperforming their price tags. Consider reallocating Arsenal budget to performing alternatives until clearer signs of improvement emerge.
4. Villa Away Form Impressive
Villa's 4.75 average from a 2-0 away win demonstrates their quality on the road. Martinez (10pts), Buendia (11pts), and Watkins (8pts) all delivered. Villa assets offer reliable floor points when traveling to struggling sides.
Looking Ahead: Transfer Priorities
Based on Gameweek 23 data, consider these strategic moves for your FPL squad:
Priority Targets
Forest assets for defensive value (Aina 11pts, Sels 6pts, Igor Jesus 9pts), Chelsea attackers (Estevao 13pts, Joao Pedro 12pts), Villa options for away fixtures (Martinez 10pts, Buendia 11pts), and Man City defenders (Matheus Nunes 11pts, Donnarumma 8pts). Prioritize teams showing consistent form.
Consider Offloading
Wolves assets after catastrophic 1.14 average, Arsenal premium players following home defeat (1.56 average), Brentford home specialists (1.44 vs Forest), and Newcastle defensive assets (1.67 vs Villa). Reallocate to teams demonstrating reliability.
Differential Options
Forest assets for consistent returns (Aina, Sels), West Ham attackers (Bowen 12pts), Bournemouth home specialists (3.71 vs Liverpool), and Szoboszlai as Liverpool differential despite team struggles (13pts). Monitor ownership before price rises.
Monitor Closely
Man City sustained recovery (one good game vs Wolves insufficient), Arsenal bounce-back potential (home defeat is alarming), Liverpool away form (2-3 at Bournemouth concerning), and Brentford home reliability (0-2 vs Forest worrying). Wait for clearer indicators before committing.
Maximize Returns with FPL Pulse
Gameweek 23's 37.0% returns and Forest's dominant 5.71 average confirm meaningful gains remain available for prepared FPL managers. FPL Pulse provides the comprehensive live FPL tracking you need to identify explosive performers before ownership rises.
From tracking elite performances (Estevao 13pts, Szoboszlai 13pts, Joao Pedro/Bowen 12pts) to identifying form patterns (Forest 5.71 away, City 5.21 recovery) and monitoring consistent performers, our suite of fantasy premier league tools helps you make smarter decisions in competitive conditions.
FAQs
- Who were the top performers in FPL Gameweek 23?
- Estevao delivered a stunning 13-point haul for Chelsea with a goal, assist, clean sheet, and bonus in their dominant 3-1 away victory at Crystal Palace. Szoboszlai matched him with 13 points for Liverpool despite their 2-3 loss at Bournemouth, scoring and assisting with maximum bonus. Joao Pedro (12pts) and Bowen (12pts) led the forwards.
- Which teams had the best average points in GW23?
- Nottingham Forest led with an outstanding 5.71 average following their 2-0 away victory at Brentford. Man City (5.21) bounced back with a clean sheet win over Wolves. Aston Villa (4.75) impressed with their 2-0 away demolition of Newcastle.
- Why did Wolves perform so poorly in GW23?
- Wolves suffered the gameweek's worst performance with a dire 1.14 average following their 0-2 away defeat to Manchester City. The comprehensive loss meant no attacking returns and no defensive points, making Wolves assets a complete disaster for FPL managers this week.
- Did FPL returns drop from Gameweek 22?
- Yes, returns decreased slightly with 37.0% achieving >2pts compared to GW22's excellent 41.9%. The 21.8% achieving 5+ points also dropped from GW22's 24.7% level. This represents a return to more typical conditions after two strong gameweeks.