Everton defenders lead FPL scoring after five gameweeks

Everton's backline has emerged as the top source of Fantasy Premier League points through the opening five gameweeks of the 2026/27 season, with three defenders offering value at different price points.

James Tarkowski leads all defenders in FPL with 43 points, having started every Everton match this season. The Blues captain has contributed to all three of Everton's clean sheets while also registering a goal, an assist, and seven bonus points — more than any other defender in the game.

Tarkowski has also been the most active defender under FPL's defensive contribution metric, which awards two additional points for 10 or more clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles, and ball recoveries in a single game. He has hit that threshold three times, accumulating 51 defensive actions in total, though he narrowly missed out in two gameweeks after recording eight and nine actions respectively.

Jarrad Branthwaite (£5.5m) and Vitalii Mykolenko (£4.6m) have each scored 27 points. Branthwaite's tally includes six defensive contribution points, while Mykolenko has earned four defensive contribution points and three bonus points.

Branthwaite, like Tarkowski, recorded eight and nine defensive actions in the two gameweeks where he fell short of the bonus threshold. The England international has also registered three shots, all from inside the box, with one classified by OPTA as a big chance.

Mykolenko has shown creativity from left-back, creating two chances for teammates and delivering 11 crosses over the five-gameweek spell.