Gameweek 31 was full of surprises. Some of the big teams did not play well, while smaller sides stepped up. A few Champions League hopefuls stumbled, and teams fighting relegation showed new energy.
There were also some huge upsets. Liverpool fell to Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea lost heavily to Everton.
The relegation battle is becoming even more intense, and even Tottenham Hotspur are starting to worry about their standing in the Premier League table.
Over 1.3 million managers used their Free
Hit chip hoping for big points, but it did not go that way for everyone. These results gave other teams the chance to shine and proved that anything can happen in the Premier League.
Across the league, there were strong performances. Goals, clean sheets, and a few unexpected heroes earned big FPL points. From a brace at the Amex Stadium to a solid defensive game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it was an action-packed week from start to finish.
So, here are the players who stood out the most in Gameweek 31.
Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford) – 9 Points
With several big-name keepers missing out, Kelleher stepped up big time. A clean sheet in a tough 0-0 draw against Leeds United, plus some vital saves, made him the highest-scoring keeper of the week. Apart from Kelleher, Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) also kept a clean sheet in Villa’s win over WestHam United, earning 6 points for his solid performance in goal.
Defenders
Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest) – 15 Points
Neco was the star of the defense this week. Forest surprised Spurs with a 3-0 win, and Neco was everywhere on the pitch. Keeping a clean sheet was great, but his attacking runs made him a key pick for anyone who started him.
Jaka Bijol (Leeds) – 11 Points
Bijol played a big role in Leeds’ 0-0 draw with Brentford. He made lots of clearances and blocks, earning maximum bonus points and helping keep the clean sheet.
Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) – 10 Points
Pinnock matched Bijol’s performance at the other end. In a game where neither team could score, his solid defending made him a reliable pick and earned a well-deserved double-digit score.
Midfielders
Josh King (Fulham) – 13 Points
At just 19 years old, King is showing serious talent. After Burnley took a surprise lead, he led the comeback. He scored his first Premier League goal from a goalkeeper error and then set up Harry Wilson for the second. A goal and an assist in a 3-1 win make him one to watch.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) – 13 Points
It was a chaotic 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, but Bruno stayed calm throughout. He scored a penalty and his corner caused the second goal (officially an own goal, but his delivery created the chaos). Even when United went down to 10 men, he was still the player trying to make things happen.
John McGinn (Aston Villa) – 10 Points
Villa needed a professional display against West Ham, and their captain Ollie watkins delivered. He controlled the midfield, broke up play, and surged forward to score. With many managers missing their star players this week, McGinn reminded everyone why he’s a reliable FPL option.
Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) – 10 Points
Everton fans have not seen a performance like this in years. In their 3-0 win over Chelsea, Ndiaye was a constant threat to Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto. He finished a brilliant team move with a clinical strike into the top corner, putting the game out of reach.
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) – 10 Points
The Tyne-Wear derby is always intense, and Gordon made an impact early. He scored in the 10th minute with a precise finish into the bottom corner. Even though Newcastle lost 2-1, Gordon was their main threat and delivered double digits for his owners once again.
Forwards
Beto (Everton) – 16 Points (Top Scorer)
Beto was unstoppable against Chelsea. He opened the scoring with a delicate dink over the keeper, then powered home a second with sheer strength. He even set up Ndiaye for the third goal. With 16 points, he delivered a massive haul for a striker many had overlooked.
Danny Welbeck (Brighton) – 12 Points
Welbeck is enjoying a revival this season. He scored two precise headers to help Brighton beat Liverpool 2-1, showing great movement in the box. With 12 league goals now, he remains one of the best value forwards in the Premier League.
Which of these players did you have in your team, and who was your standout performer in Gameweek 31? Let us know in the comments!
