Gameweek 23 Dream Team: Defenders dominate

Arsenal centre-backs Koscielny and Sokratis post double-figure scores as The Scout reviews top FPL performers

Defenders from Newcastle United and Arsenal were the unlikely Dream Team heroes in Gameweek 23 of Fantasy Premier League. 

Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar (£4.6m) led the way with a 21-point haul – the joint-highest individual score of the season – as Newcastle beat Cardiff City 3-0, while Gunners duo Laurent Koscielny (£5.4m) and Sokratis (£5.1m) both recorded double-figure hauls against Chelsea.

Indeed, all five defenders in the Dream Team returned at least 11 points as a 5-4-1 formation produced 146 points overall – just five shy of the season's highest tally.

Ben Foster (WAT) £4.5m; 8pts

The Watford goalkeeper earned a clean sheet plus save and bonus points as the Hornets drew 0-0 with Burnley.

Fabian Schar (NEW) £4.6m; 21pts

The Switzerland international scored a superb individual goal, added another and brought in clean-sheet points to complete one of the finest all-round performances of the season. His ownership has doubled to 0.3 per cent as a result.

Danilo (MCI) £5.1m; 15pts

The full-back's first league goal of the season set Manchester City on their way to a 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town. He has now scored 21 points over the last two Gameweeks.

Laurent Koscielny (ARS) £5.4m; 15pts

Arsenal kept only their fourth clean sheet of the campaign in a 2-0 win over Chelsea, thanks in part to their captain. Koscielny sealed the win with the Gunners' second goal and was awarded maximum bonus points.

Jamaal Lascelles (NEW) £4.6m; 11pts

An assist and two bonus points helped the Newcastle captain to his first double-figure score of the season.

Sokratis (ARS) £5.1m; 11pts

The centre-back set up Koscielny's goal to record a second assist in three Gameweeks. He has now started nine of the last 10 Gameweeks and is forming a useful partnership with his French team-mate.

Diogo Jota (WOL) £5.9m; 19pts

The star of Wolverhampton Wanderers' 4-3 win over Leicester City, Jota is finally finding his feet in the Premier League. A hat-trick against the Foxes means he has scored all five of his goals for the season over his last five Gameweek appearances.

Mohamed Salah (LIV) £13.5m; 15pts

FPL's most popular player, with 49.8 per cent ownership, Salah is a points magnet at present. The Egyptian's two goals in Liverpool's 4-3 victory over Crystal Palace produced a sixth double-digit return in eight Gameweeks.

Leroy Sane (MCI) £9.7m; 12pts

The Man City winger made it three straight Gameweeks of returns with a goal, assist and a bonus point against Huddersfield. Sane has scored 30 points in that time and is in the top four for Gameweek 24 transfers in.

James Ward-Prowse (SOT) £5.0m; 10pts

New Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has started the midfielder for four straight Gameweeks and Ward-Prowse has responded with back-to-back goals. He scored for the second week running as Saints beat Everton 2-1.

Callum Wilson (BOU) £6.5m; 9pts

The Dream Team's sole striker scored his 10th goal of the campaign as AFC Bournemouth defeated West Ham United 2-0.