Hat-Tricks Scored in Premier League Losses: A Rare Feat
Brian Brobbey made history by scoring a hat-trick for Sunderland despite their 5-3 loss to Manchester City. This achievement marks only the sixth time since the Premier League began in 1992 that a player has scored three goals but still ended up on the losing side.
Historical Context of Hat-Tricks in Losing Efforts
The last time a player managed this was Roque Santa Cruz, who scored three for Blackburn Rovers in their 5-3 defeat to Wigan Athletic back in December 2007. Before him, such instances were even rarer and mostly occurred in the 1990s.
- Matt le Tissier: Two hat-tricks in losses for Southampton, first against Oldham Athletic (4-3) in May 1993, then versus Nottingham Forest (4-3) in August 1995.
- Dion Dublin: A treble for Coventry City during a 4-3 loss at Sheffield Wednesday in December 1995.
- Dwight Yorke: Scored three goals for Aston Villa in a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United in September 1996.
List of Premier League Hat-Tricks in Defeats
- Matt le Tissier: Oldham Athletic 4-3 Southampton (8 May 1993)
- Matt le Tissier: Southampton 3-4 Nottingham Forest (19 August 1995)
- Dion Dublin: Sheffield Wednesday 4-3 Coventry City (4 December 1995)
- Dwight Yorke: Newcastle United 4-3 Aston Villa (30 September 1996)
- Roque Santa Cruz: Wigan Athletic 5-3 Blackburn Rovers (15 December 2007)
- Brian Brobbey: Manchester City 5-3 Sunderland (20 September 2026)
This rare list highlights how unusual it is for a player to score three times yet see their team lose. We think it’s a mix of personal brilliance overshadowed by collective defensive lapses.
