On 20 September 2026, Brian Brobbey etched his name into Premier League history by scoring a hat-trick during Sunderland’s 5-3 defeat to Manchester City, becoming only the fifth player to achieve the feat in a losing cause. The Netherlands striker’s three goals came in a chaotic encounter at the Etihad Stadium, marking the first time since Roque Santa Cruz in 2007 and the sixth instance since the league’s 1992 inception. Brobbey’s performance earned him Flashscore’s Premier League Player of the Week award, with his 9.4 rating highlighting his impact despite the loss.
Historical Precedents: When Hat-Tricks Fell Short
The list of players who have scored hat-tricks in Premier League losses is short and storied. Matt Le Tissier remains the most infamous, achieving the feat twice: first in May 1993 during Southampton’s 4-3 loss to Oldham Athletic, and again in August 1995 when his side fell 4-3 to Nottingham Forest. Le Tissier’s 1993 hat-trick included a volley, a free-kick, and a header, while his 1995 effort featured two penalties and a free-kick.
Dion Dublin, Dwight Yorke, and Roque Santa Cruz also joined the list before Brobbey. Dublin scored three for Coventry City in a 4-3 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in December 1995, while Yorke netted three for Aston Villa in a 4-3 loss to Newcastle in September 1996. Santa Cruz’s 2007 hat-trick for Blackburn Rovers against Wigan Athletic ended in a 5-3 defeat, a result that preceded Brobbey’s milestone by nearly two decades.
Brobbey’s Heroics: A Hat-Trick in a 5-3 Defeat
Brobbey’s performance against Manchester City was a testament to his resilience. The striker took five shots, won 10 of 12 duels, and drew five fouls, creating chaos for City’s defenders. His hat-trick included two first-half goals to level the score and a second-half finish that sealed his place in history. Sunderland’s 5-3 defeat marked the first time since Jermain Defoe in 2016 that a Sunderland player scored three goals in a Premier League game, according to Planetfootball.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Manchester City led 3-1 at halftime, with Brobbey equalizing twice before the interval. City extended their advantage in the second half, but Brobbey’s third goal came late, a moment of individual brilliance that could not overcome the team’s defensive frailties.
What Comes Next: Sunderland’s Path Forward
With the international break looming, Sunderland returns to action on 10 October against Brighton. The striker’s hat-trick, while bittersweet, highlights his potential to be a key figure in the club’s push for survival. As Planetfootball noted, Brobbey’s 2026 campaign has already seen him score seven goals in Sunderland’s European qualification journey, a record that underscores his importance to the squad.
For Manchester City, the victory extended their dominance, but the 5-3 scoreline revealed vulnerabilities. The club’s focus now shifts to the upcoming fixtures, with the loss to Sunderland serving as a reminder of the league’s unpredictability. As the Premier League continues, the question of whether Brobbey’s hat-trick will be a footnote or a turning point for Sunderland remains open, but one thing is certain: the striker has joined an elite group of players who have scored in defeat.