Dutch-Ghanaian striker Brian Brobbey produced a memorable individual display for Sunderland despite ending up on the losing side in a thrilling 5-3 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 20.
The forward scored all three of Sunderland’s goals, twice bringing his side level after Manchester City had taken the lead before completing his hat-trick after the break.
Brobbey’s performance also earned him a place in Sunderland’s Premier League history. According to Opta, he became the first Sunderland player to score a Premier League hat-trick since Jermain Defoe accomplished the feat in 2016.
Opta also reported that Brobbey became only the fifth player in Premier League history to score three goals in a match and still end up on the losing side.
Manchester City opened the scoring through Enzo Fernández before Brobbey responded to restore parity for Sunderland. Rayan Cherki then put City back in front, but Brobbey struck again to make it 2-2 and keep the visitors firmly in contention.
Antoine Semenyo subsequently found the net twice for Manchester City, scoring once before half-time and again after the break to give the hosts a two-goal advantage.
Brobbey refused to let Sunderland surrender, however, as he completed his hat-trick shortly after the restart with a close-range finish to make it 4-3.
The goal briefly raised hopes of a dramatic Sunderland comeback, but Manchester City eventually sealed the victory when Erling Haaland scored late in the match to make it 5-3.
Although Sunderland failed to secure any points, Brobbey’s three-goal performance stood out as one of the major highlights of an entertaining eight-goal encounter.
Brobbey and Black Stars defender Derrick Luckassen also share Ghanaian heritage. The two are maternal half-brothers, having the same mother but different fathers, which accounts for their different surnames.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar