On September 23, 1995, football fans witnessed an extraordinary day in Premier League history when three of the most prolific goal-scorers of that era – Tony Yeboah of Leeds United, Robbie Fowler of Liverpool, and Alan Shearer of Blackburn Rovers – all achieved the coveted hat-trick milestone.
While modern stars like Erling Haaland, Son Heung-min, and Evan Ferguson have recently accomplished similar feats, that iconic September afternoon in 1995 remains unparalleled in the annals of Premier League history.
This unique day featured three names that would go on to define the early Premier League era of the mid-90s, ultimately becoming cult heroes and, in some cases, legends at their respective clubs.
However, during the 1995-96 season’s early months, these three players were still on their way to becoming icons of the Premier League.
Robbie Fowler, just 20 years old that April, had already displayed his goal-scoring prowess in the previous season, netting 25 Premier League goals (31 in all competitions). Little did fans know that he was on the cusp of achieving a career-best tally during the 1995-96 season.
Tony Yeboah, who had joined Leeds from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 1995, had made a remarkable start to his Premier League journey, scoring 12 goals in his first 18 appearances. However, his defining moments would come in his first full season with the club.
Alan Shearer was at the peak of his powers, having scored an impressive 93 goals in his first three seasons at Blackburn Rovers. This included a career-best 34 goals in the Premier League during Blackburn’s title-winning 1994-95 campaign. At the time, many regarded him as the world’s best player, and he would go on to achieve legendary status with nearly 200 more Premier League goals in his career.
As fans reminisce about that historic September day in 1995, they can transport themselves back to an era when these three players were in their prime.
Robbie Fowler – Liverpool 5-2 Bolton Wanderers Fowler finished the 1995-96 season as the league’s second-highest goalscorer, forming a lethal partnership with Stan Collymore. Although Liverpool ultimately settled for a third-place finish, Fowler’s prolific season was highlighted by a remarkable four-goal performance against Bolton. His goals showcased his clinical finishing and footballing intelligence.
Alan Shearer – Blackburn Rovers 5-1 Coventry Shearer, the defending champions’ star, continued his goal-scoring excellence by notching 31 league goals during the season, earning him the Golden Boot. In this particular match, he secured his first hat-trick of the season and his 100th goal for Blackburn. Shearer’s precision and goal-scoring ability were on full display.
Tony Yeboah – Wimbledon 2-4 Leeds United Tony Yeboah’s hat-trick against Wimbledon was a standout moment in a challenging season for Leeds, who finished 13th. However, Yeboah consistently shone as a bright spot for the team. His second goal, often regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest, involved astonishing ball control, juggling the ball from his chest to his knee and then unleashing a thunderous strike that left spectators in awe.
As fans reflect on this remarkable day in Premier League history, they can’t help but celebrate the exceptional talents of Yeboah, Fowler, and Shearer, who left an indelible mark on the league and the hearts of football aficionados.