Brian Brobbey’s hat‑trick for Sunderland in a 5‑3 loss to Manchester City marks the first such feat in 19 years and only the fifth occurrence since the league’s inception. A new Yahoo Sports analysis details the full list of players who have managed a hat‑trick on the losing side.
Brian Brobbey etched his name into Premier League history on Sunday when he completed a hat‑trick for Sunderland in a 5‑3 loss to Manchester City. The Dutch striker’s three goals made him the first player to achieve a hat‑trick in a defeat since Roque Santa Cruz’s 2007 performance for Blackburn against Wigan, and only the fifth different player to do so since the competition began in 1992.
According to a Yahoo Sports analysis published on 21 September 2026, the complete tally of hat‑tricks scored by losing sides stands at six instances involving five distinct players. The earlier occurrences include Dwight Yorke’s three for Aston Villa in a 4‑3 loss to Newcastle in September 1996, Dion Dublin’s treble for Coventry in a 4‑3 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in December 1995, and Matt le Tissier’s two hat‑tricks for Southampton in 4‑3 losses in May 1993 and August 1995. The most recent before Brobbey was Santa Cruz’s 2007 hat‑trick for Blackburn.
Brobbey’s achievement also placed him on an elite list highlighted by Yahoo Sports, noting that scoring three goals while your side concedes five is a rarity that underscores both individual brilliance and collective defensive frailties. The match, which also featured a hat‑trick from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, saw City maintain a perfect start to the season despite the defensive lapses, a point emphasized by manager Enzo Maresca in post‑match comments.
While the hat‑trick in defeat remains a statistical oddity, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, where extraordinary individual performances can still be eclipsed by overall team results. As the season progresses, analysts will watch to see if any other players can join this exclusive club.