Igor Thiago’s star continues to rise in the Premier League, and on January 4, 2026, he delivered a performance that will have fans and pundits alike talking for weeks to come. The 24-year-old Brazilian striker ended his six-match goal drought in spectacular fashion, netting his first Premier League hat-trick in Brentford’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. With this win, Brentford surged to within just four points of the coveted fourth spot in the league table, keeping their European ambitions very much alive.
Thiago’s hat-trick didn’t just secure a vital three points for Brentford—it catapulted him into elite company. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, and Bayern Munich’s England captain Harry Kane have outscored him across Europe’s top five leagues this season. That’s some list to be a part of! His tally now stands at 14 league goals, and with just two more, he’ll become the highest-scoring Brazilian in a single Premier League campaign. It’s a milestone within touching distance, and one that seems inevitable given his current form.
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews was effusive in his praise for Thiago after the match. "Not bad, is it? I thought the finishes today were outstanding, really clinical, outstanding, calm, confident," Andrews said, clearly delighted with his striker’s display. He didn’t shy away from comparing Thiago to the continent’s very best: "The names you’ve just mentioned (Haaland, Mbappe, Kane) – he’s in pretty esteemed company there, but he’s earned it." For Andrews, Thiago’s rise has been a journey marked by hard work and resilience. "He’s been on a journey where he was injured for a lot of last season and he settled into the club behind the scenes, I suppose, not in the spotlight where everybody would see it. But he is such a popular player and person amongst our group, and a special person that he deserves everything he gets because he works so hard, he’s selfless in terms of his performances. Thankfully today, obviously the goals come off the back of that unselfish way he plays the game because he leaves everything out there."
The match itself was packed with drama and turning points. Everton, who had kept four clean sheets in their last six games, looked to continue their defensive solidity but were quickly undone by a series of costly errors. The first came from James Tarkowski, whose weak pass to Tim Iroegbunam was pounced upon by Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt. Janelt crossed for Thiago, who cushioned a low volley past Jordan Pickford to open the scoring. Tarkowski’s afternoon went from bad to worse when he was beaten to a corner for Brentford’s second, as Nathan Collins nodded home the club’s first goal from a corner in 96 attempts this season. Talk about persistence paying off!
Brentford’s attacking intent was clear from the outset. Jack Grealish, on loan from Manchester City, pulled the strings in midfield and provided both assists for Brentford’s goals. He nearly notched a third in first-half added time, only for Everton goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to deny Thierno Barry’s diving header. With Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sidelined by injury and Iliman Ndiaye away at the Africa Cup of Nations, much of the creative burden fell on Grealish, and he rose to the occasion.
Everton did have their moments early on. Dwight McNeil was denied by Kelleher, and Thiago himself cleared a Tarkowski header off the line, showing his value at both ends of the pitch. But after falling behind, Everton struggled to get a grip on the game. Manager David Moyes was candid in his post-match assessment: "We gave away a terrible goal and the rest of the half we were chasing it and never got to grips with it. It was unlike us: the first goal and the other goals never gave us a chance of winning so it was poor defensively. I don’t think it is something we do too often, concede four goals. I thought we conceded them in a shabby manner if you think how well we defended in midweek compared to today – it just didn’t stack up. At home we are trying to be more open and work to make things happen, and I thought they punished us in the moments we did that."
Brentford’s third goal came in a rapid-fire sequence that seemed to put the contest beyond doubt as early as the 51st minute. Thiago finished off a two-on-one break, further exposing Everton’s defensive frailties. To their credit, Everton did mount a brief fightback. Beto pulled one back in the 66th minute, and Thierno Barry added another in stoppage time, but by then, Thiago had already completed his hat-trick, rendering Everton’s late surge little more than a footnote.
The result equaled Brentford’s biggest win under Andrews, matching their 4-0 demolition of Bournemouth just a week earlier. It’s a testament to how far the club has come, especially when considering the context of their recruitment strategy. Everton, by contrast, have struggled to get value from their investments. The fact that Kevin Schade chose Brentford over Everton two summers ago speaks volumes about the shifting reputations of the two clubs, particularly as Everton continues to grapple with financial issues and recent relegation battles.
Everton’s woes were compounded by the absence of key players and underperformance from others. The £40 million spent on 19-year-old Tyler Dibling was a gamble on potential, but on a day when experience was needed, the lack of proven performers told. Tarkowski’s struggles at the back, combined with the team’s inability to capitalize on early chances, left Moyes with plenty to ponder. Meanwhile, Brentford’s canny recruitment and team cohesion were on full display, with Thiago’s relentless work rate and selfless play earning the admiration of teammates and fans alike.
For Brentford, the victory is more than just three points—it’s a statement of intent. With Thiago firing on all cylinders and the team playing with confidence, a push for European football feels increasingly realistic. The Brazilian striker’s journey from injury-plagued newcomer to one of the Premier League’s most prolific scorers is a story of perseverance and belief, and as Andrews put it, "he deserves everything he gets because he works so hard."
As the Premier League season heats up, all eyes will be on Brentford and their Brazilian talisman. If Thiago keeps up this pace, more records—and perhaps even bigger achievements—could be just around the corner.