Premier League Gameweek 6 Defensive Stats: Most Tackles, Interceptions, Clearances & More

The 2026/27 Premier League campaign returned with a bang following the extended international break. Manchester City maintained their 100% start, while Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion remained on the coattails of the league leaders.

Here, we run through the standout individuals for a number of key defensive metrics from gameweek six of the Premier League season.

Premier League Tackles: Mitchell helps Palace hold out for all the spoils

Crystal Palace somehow claimed all the spoils in their welcome of Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.

The Tricky Trees battered the Eagles, yet fell to a 3-1 loss as Oliver Glasner endured a disappointing return to Selhurst Park.

While on the backfoot for much of the match, Palace star Tyrick Mitchell shone from left wing-back having made more tackles (7) than any other player in gameweek six.

A further six players, including Kobbie Mainoo and Pascal Gross, chipped in with five tackles over the weekend.

Premier League Interceptions: Man Utd trio excel off the ball

Tottenham Hotspur were unable to punish a lacklustre Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday as the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw.

United defensive trio Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro all played their part to keep the Spurs offensive at bay as they each made five interceptions.

A further three players, including Brentford ball-winning machine Vitaly Janelt, all managed four interceptions in gameweek six.

Premier League Clearances: Thomas in the right place at the right time

Coventry City claimed a 4-1 home win over Newcastle United on Monday to boost their survival hopes.

However, they were on the backfoot for much of the home clash as the Magpies failed to make their dominance count.

Key in the clash was centre-back Bobby Thomas, who managed 16 clearances, including one off the line, in the home triumph.

Victor Lindelof finished gameweek six second for clearances (13), while a total of six players managed double figures for this metric.

Premier League Aerial Duels Won: Barry and Botman lead the way

Everton were held to a 2-2 draw at Hull City on Sunday afternoon, with Thierno Barry on hand to net his third league goal of the season in the stalemate.

Barry was a handful for the Hull backline over the weekend having won 10 aerial duels at the MKM Stadium.

Newcastle centre-back Sven Botman also won 10 headed battles, though the Magpies laboured to a 4-1 loss at Coventry on Monday night.

Nordi Mukiele managed seven aerial wins in Sunderland’s home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, while Toffees man Michael Keane and Seagulls star Diego Gomez each won six to round off the top five.

Premier League Defensive Third Regains: Tielemans plays his part off the ball

Manchester United’s midfield was carved open with ease by Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening as Michael Carrick’s side struggled with the rapid transitions.

Youri Tielemans did everything in his power to protect the United goal as he managed more defensive regains (7) than any other player in gameweek six.

A further four players, including Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Nottingham Forest centre-back Ousmane Diomande, managed to win possession in the defensive third six times.

Top FPL Defenders in Gameweek 6: De Cuyper takes top spot

Maxim De Cuyper maintained his impressive start to the 2026/27 Premier League season with his second league goal of the campaign at Sunderland on Saturday.

And the Belgian was the top scoring defender in gameweek six having claimed 15 FPL points.

De Cuyper, who has been selected by 34.7% of teams, managed more than Ipswich Town pair Dara O’Shea and Abdoul Ouattara, who earned 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Tractor Boys duo have been picked far less than De Cupyer, at 2.6% and 0.9%.