Eric Cantona scored the first Premier League hat-trick. He did it for Leeds United in a 5-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on 25 August 1992.
The match that produced the first hat-trick
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | Leeds United 5-0 Tottenham Hotspur |
| Hat-trick | Eric Cantona, 3 goals in a row |
| Other scorers | Rod Wallace, Lee Chapman |
| Milestone | Cantona's third was the Premier League's 100th goal |
Rod Wallace opened the scoring, Cantona then struck 3 times in succession, and Lee Chapman added the fifth. That sequence gave the new competition one of its earliest landmark individual displays.
Leeds were also the reigning champions of the old First Division, having won the 1991/92 title before the Premier League era began. That adds extra context to why this performance still stands out in early league history.
What the result meant at the time
| Team | Position after the match |
|---|---|
| Leeds United | 5th with 7 points from their first 4 matches |
| Tottenham Hotspur | In the relegation zone on 2 points |
The scoreline was big, but the table made it sharper. Leeds were moving along well at the start of the campaign, while Tottenham were already under pressure near the bottom.
Because it came so early in the league's first season, the game has held its place in Premier League memory. Cantona's third goal gave it a second layer of significance by becoming the competition's 100th goal as well.
Cantona's Premier League record
| Item | Cantona record |
|---|---|
| Transfer | Moved from Leeds to Manchester United in November 1992 |
| Titles | Won 4 titles in the first 5 Premier League seasons with Manchester United |
| Appearances | 156 |
| Goals | 70 |
| Assists | 56 |
| Retirement | Retired in May 1997 at age 30 |
| Recognition | Inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021 |
Cantona's place in league history goes well beyond being first on this list. He made an early mark with Leeds, then became one of the defining figures of the competition after his move to Manchester United.
FAQ
Who scored the 100th Premier League goal?
Eric Cantona scored it. It was his third goal in the 5-0 win over Tottenham, and it came from a volley.
How many Premier League goals did Cantona score?
Cantona scored 70 Premier League goals. He also recorded 56 assists, which shows how much of his influence came from creation as well as finishing.
When did Cantona join Manchester United?
He moved from Leeds United to Manchester United in November 1992. After that switch, he helped United win 4 titles in the first 5 Premier League seasons.
When did Cantona retire, and what Premier League honour did he receive later?
He retired in May 1997 at age 30. In 2021, he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.