FPL Gameweek 28 Review: Damsgaard Headlines Record 36-Goal Gameweek
Damsgaard's 18-point masterclass leads the way as Liverpool thrash West Ham 5-2 and a record 36 goals fly in across the highest-scoring gameweek of the season.
Gameweek 28 shattered records with 36 goals across 10 matches, making it the highest-scoring round of the 2025/26 season. Our live FPL tracker captured all the chaos as home teams dominated with 21 goals compared to 15 for away sides. The standout was Brentford's Damsgaard with an 18-point haul in a 7-goal thriller at Burnley, while Liverpool's 5-2 demolition of West Ham headlined a goal-fest gameweek. Here are the essential insights for optimizing your FPL captain picks going forward.
Top Performers by Position
Attacking returns dominated this record-breaking week, with Damsgaard's 18-point haul and Ekitiké's creative masterclass leading the way across a goal-laden gameweek.
Goalkeeper: José Sá (8pts) & Donnarumma (5pts) ⭐
Wolves' José Sá was the standout goalkeeper with an 8-point return featuring a clean sheet, 4 saves, and 1 bonus in their dominant 2-0 home victory over Aston Villa. Donnarumma (5pts) kept Man City's clean sheet intact with 2 saves in the 1-0 win over Leeds. In a gameweek with only 2 clean sheets, these two were the rare defensive bright spots between the sticks.
Defender: Aït-Nouri (11pts) & Saliba (10pts) ⭐⭐
Man City's Aït-Nouri delivered the best defensive return with 11 points thanks to an assist, clean sheet, and maximum 3 bonus in the 1-0 win over Leeds. William Saliba (10pts) scored for Arsenal in their 2-1 victory over Chelsea with 2 bonus. Gabriel (9pts) assisted alongside 3 bonus in the same match. Branthwaite (9pts) scored in Everton's thrilling 3-2 away win at Newcastle. Rúben (9pts) and Mosquera (9pts) both benefited from Wolves' clean sheet.
Midfielder: Damsgaard (18pts) ⭐⭐⭐
The performance of the gameweek. Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard delivered a sensational 18-point haul with two goals, an assist, and maximum 3 bonus in the thrilling 4-3 away victory at Burnley. João Gomes (14pts) was Wolves' creative force with a goal, assist, clean sheet, and 3 bonus. Bruno Fernandes (13pts) contributed a goal and assist for Man United. Harry Wilson (12pts) provided Fulham with a goal and assist in their 2-1 win over Spurs.
Forward: Ekitiké (15pts) ⭐⭐
Liverpool's Ekitiké delivered a commanding 15-point haul with a goal, two assists, and maximum 3 bonus in the emphatic 5-2 home thrashing of West Ham. Danny Welbeck (9pts) found the net for Brighton in their 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest with 3 bonus. Beto (9pts) scored in Everton's 3-2 win at Newcastle with 3 bonus. Mayenda (9pts) scored for Sunderland in their 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. Benjamin Šeško (8pts) added a goal for Man United with 2 bonus.
Team Performance Analysis
Best Performing Teams
Wolves (5.64 avg) ⭐
Wolves delivered the gameweek's best team average with a commanding 2-0 home victory over Aston Villa. João Gomes' 14-point masterclass anchored the display while José Sá (8pts) kept a clean sheet with 4 saves. Mosquera and Rúben both earned 9-point defensive returns. One of only two teams to keep a clean sheet this week.
Man City (4.79 avg)
Man City ground out a disciplined 1-0 home win over Leeds with Aït-Nouri's assist and maximum bonus leading the way (11pts). Donnarumma (5pts) kept a clean sheet as City's defensive solidity proved valuable in a goal-heavy round. One of only two teams to keep a clean sheet alongside Wolves.
Everton (4.21 avg)
Everton delivered a brilliant 3-2 away victory at Newcastle with Branthwaite (9pts) and Beto (9pts) both finding the net. The Toffees showed resilience to win away from home in an entertaining contest, providing multiple FPL returns across their squad.
Liverpool (4.21 avg)
Liverpool put on a show with a stunning 5-2 home victory over West Ham. Ekitiké's 15-point display with a goal and two assists was the headline, but five different scorers demonstrated Liverpool's attacking depth. An emphatic performance at Anfield that rewarded multiple assets.
Teams to Avoid
Aston Villa (1.13 avg) ⚠️
Aston Villa suffered the gameweek's most disappointing result with a 0-2 away defeat at Wolves. Zero goals scored and no clean sheet meant minimal FPL returns across the board. Villa's poor away form continues to plague their FPL assets.
Chelsea (1.50 avg)
Chelsea's 1-2 away defeat at Arsenal continues their inconsistent form. Conceding twice and failing to mount a sustained challenge at the Emirates meant limited returns for Chelsea owners. Their away form remains a concern for FPL managers.
Tottenham (1.69 avg)
Spurs fell to a 1-2 home defeat against Fulham, continuing their disappointing run. Losing at home to mid-table opposition raises serious questions about their form. Spurs assets remain difficult to justify with the side lacking consistency.
Crystal Palace (1.73 avg)
Crystal Palace's 1-2 away defeat at Man United meant limited returns for their owners. Conceding twice away from home and failing to find enough attacking output leaves Palace assets looking unreliable in the short term.
Match of the Week: Burnley 3-4 Brentford
The 7-goal thriller at Burnley was the standout fixture of the gameweek, with Brentford winning 4-3 in a sensational away performance:
- Mikkel Damsgaard (18pts): Two goals, an assist, and maximum 3 bonus in a dominant midfield display for Brentford.
- Anthony (10pts): Burnley's Anthony contributed a goal and assist in the losing effort.
- Hannibal (10pts): Two assists and 2 bonus showed Burnley's creative threat despite the defeat.
- 7-goal spectacle: The highest-scoring single match of the gameweek, with both sides attacking relentlessly throughout.
Key FPL Statistics - Record 36 Goals
Gameweek 28 featured 10 matches with a record-breaking goal tally:
- 36 goals scored across all fixtures (21 home, 15 away) - the highest-scoring GW of the season
- Only 2 clean sheets - Wolves (2-0 vs AVL) and Man City (1-0 vs LEE)
- Home dominance - 21 home goals vs 15 away goals
- Top scorer: Mikkel Damsgaard with 18 points from midfield
The record-breaking 36 goals meant attacking assets were heavily rewarded while clean sheets were almost non-existent. Using comprehensive fantasy premier league tools to identify high-scoring fixtures remains crucial for the run-in.
Notable Results & Talking Points
Liverpool Thrash West Ham 5-2
Liverpool produced the standout result of the gameweek with an emphatic 5-2 home victory over West Ham. Ekitiké was the star with a goal and two assists for a 15-point haul. Five different scorers found the net as Liverpool's attacking depth proved devastating at Anfield.
Burnley 3-4 Brentford: 7-Goal Thriller
Damsgaard's 18-point masterclass powered Brentford to a thrilling 4-3 away victory at Burnley in the highest-scoring single match of the week. Anthony (10pts) and Hannibal (10pts) both delivered attacking returns for Burnley in the losing cause, but Brentford's quality ultimately prevailed.
Everton Stun Newcastle 3-2 Away
Everton pulled off a superb 3-2 away win at Newcastle in an entertaining encounter. Branthwaite (9pts) and Beto (9pts) both scored as the Toffees showed resilience away from home. Newcastle's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed at St James' Park.
Wolves Dominate Aston Villa 2-0
Wolves delivered a commanding 2-0 home victory over Aston Villa, keeping one of only two clean sheets across the entire gameweek. João Gomes (14pts) was the standout with a goal, assist, and maximum bonus. José Sá (8pts) anchored the defence with 4 saves.
Tactical Takeaways for FPL Managers
1. Attack-Heavy Approach Rewarded
With 36 goals and only 2 clean sheets, FPL managers who loaded up on attacking assets were heavily rewarded. Damsgaard (18pts), Ekitiké (15pts), and Bruno Fernandes (13pts) all delivered double-digit hauls. Prioritize attacking players in high-scoring fixture predictions.
2. Wolves Defence a Rare Safe Haven
In a gameweek where clean sheets were almost extinct, Wolves and Man City were the only two teams to keep them. Aït-Nouri (11pts), José Sá (8pts), Mosquera (9pts), and Rúben (9pts) all benefited. Targeting defence from dominant home sides remains a viable strategy.
3. Liverpool's Attacking Depth
Five different scorers in the 5-2 thrashing of West Ham showcases Liverpool's unmatched attacking depth. Ekitiké's creative involvement (1g 2a) makes him an essential option. Liverpool's rotation-proof attackers look crucial for the title run-in.
4. Brentford's Damsgaard Emerges as Must-Own
Damsgaard's 18-point haul with 2 goals and an assist in the 7-goal thriller at Burnley marks him as a genuine differential. At a likely affordable price point, his attacking output from midfield offers exceptional value. Monitor his upcoming fixtures closely.
Looking Ahead: Transfer Priorities
Based on Gameweek 28 data, consider these strategic moves for your FPL squad:
Priority Targets
Liverpool attackers for explosive potential (Ekitiké 15pts), Damsgaard for Brentford midfield value (18pts), Wolves defenders for clean sheet reliability (Aït-Nouri 11pts, José Sá 8pts), and Bruno Fernandes for consistent midfield returns (13pts). Prioritize players with attacking upside in this high-scoring phase.
Consider Offloading
Aston Villa assets after the 0-2 away defeat at Wolves, Chelsea players after the 1-2 loss at Arsenal, Spurs options after another home defeat (1-2 vs Fulham), and Leeds defenders who failed to score or keep a clean sheet. Reallocate to teams demonstrating consistent attacking output.
Differential Options
Damsgaard for Brentford midfield attacking threat (18pts), João Gomes as Wolves' all-round midfielder (14pts), Harry Wilson for Fulham creative value (12pts), and Iwobi as a consistent Fulham option (10pts). Monitor ownership levels before price rises.
Monitor Closely
Wolves form with defensive solidity and João Gomes' creativity, Liverpool's multi-pronged attack after the 5-2 thrashing, Everton's away resilience with Branthwaite and Beto scoring, and Arsenal's Saliba for set-piece threat from defence. Wait for patterns to emerge over coming weeks.
Maximize Returns with FPL Pulse
Gameweek 28's record-breaking 36 goals and Damsgaard's explosive 18-point haul confirm meaningful gains remain available for prepared FPL managers. FPL Pulse provides the comprehensive live FPL tracking you need to identify performers before ownership rises.
From tracking elite performances (Damsgaard 18pts, Ekitiké 15pts, João Gomes 14pts) to identifying form patterns (Wolves defence, Liverpool attack, Brentford creativity) 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 28?
- Mikkel Damsgaard delivered the gameweek's highest score with 18 points, scoring twice and providing an assist for Brentford in their thrilling 4-3 away win at Burnley. Ekitiké (15pts) starred in Liverpool's 5-2 demolition of West Ham with a goal and two assists. João Gomes (14pts) impressed for Wolves with a goal, assist, and clean sheet bonus, while Bruno Fernandes (13pts) contributed a goal and assist in Man United's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
- How did Liverpool perform against West Ham in Gameweek 28?
- Liverpool delivered a stunning 5-2 home victory over West Ham in the standout fixture of the gameweek. Ekitiké was the star with a goal and two assists (15pts), leading the attacking display. Five different scorers found the net as Liverpool's firepower proved too much for the Hammers' defence in an entertaining encounter at Anfield.
- Which teams kept clean sheets in GW28?
- Only two teams kept clean sheets in Gameweek 28: Wolves (2-0 vs Aston Villa) and Man City (1-0 vs Leeds). This was the fewest clean sheets of any gameweek this season, reflecting the record-breaking 36 goals scored across 10 matches. Defensive assets were largely unrewarded outside of these two fixtures.
- What was the average score in Gameweek 28?
- Gameweek 28 was the highest-scoring round of the season with 36 goals across 10 matches. Home teams scored 21 goals while away teams added 15. Wolves led the team averages with 5.64 points per player, followed by Man City (4.79) and Everton (4.21). Only 2 clean sheets were kept across the entire gameweek.