Brentford eased past Sunderland 3-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Igor Thiago scoring twice and setting a new Premier League record for a Brazilian in a single season. Thiago struck either side
of half-time, moving to 16 league goals, before Yehor Yarmoliuk added a third to seal a dominant home victory.
That result continued an impressive Premier League campaign for Brentford, who have collected 33 points from 21 matches. This matches their best return at this point of a season in the competition, equalling the 33-point tally reached in 2022-23, and extends an unbeaten league run that now stands at six matches.
Brentford’s current sequence is one of the strongest in their top-flight history. They have only once put together a longer unbeaten stretch within a single Premier League season, a 12-match run recorded between October 2022 and March 2023. This latest victory also highlighted how Thiago has become the focal point of their attack.
The Brazilian forward’s brace lifted Thiago to 15 and then 16 Premier League goals this season, setting a new record for the most goals scored by a Brazilian player in a single campaign in the competition. Sunderland struggled to contain Thiago’s movement and finishing, which repeatedly stretched the visiting defence and created constant pressure.
Sunderland did have a route back into the game shortly after the interval. Brian Brobbey won a penalty on the hour mark when Kristoffer Ajer brought Brobbey down. Enzo Le Fee attempted a Panenka from the spot, but Caoimhin Kelleher read the effort and saved comfortably, and Brentford quickly regained control.
Keith Andrews placed strong emphasis on recruitment when reflecting on Thiago’s display and wider Premier League form. Andrews told BBC Sport: "The recruitment team deserve a lot of praise for the type of players they bring in and personalities. It is really impressive. " That comment framed Thiago as part of a carefully planned squad build.
Andrews then focused on Thiago’s character and development. Andrews said: "He is a really special person who has fitted into life very nicely. He has had to earn this path. He has earned his journey and grafted. He has got serious grit about his personality. He is developing his skill set constantly, and we are learning more and more about him. He is a pretty complete centre-forward. We played Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago and he didnt score but he was sensational. Goals are always something you are judged on as a striker, and it is fair to say on that front, he is having a special season as well. "
The record-breaking goal Number 16 for Igor Thiago pic.twitter.com/zyTsJzRaBwBrentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 7, 2026
Premier League impact lifts Brentford and Igor Thiago
Thiago explained that this scoring run has exceeded early expectations. Thiago said: "I was just thinking about playing at the start of the season and then having a good moment. I wasnt expecting to score this much but I am just keeping going. We are having a good season. We are doing well. We just need to keep going like this, and if we do, we can achieve a good result in the end. "
The broader numbers from this match underline both Brentford’s rise and Sunderland’s problems in the Premier League. Brentford remain unbeaten in six league games, while Sunderland have now failed to win any of their last six away fixtures in the competition, collecting three draws and suffering three defeats during that stretch.
| Team / Player | Premier League detail |
|---|---|
| Igor Thiago | 16 goals this season, record tally for a Brazilian in one Premier League campaign |
| Brentford | 33 points from 21 matches, joint-best start and unbeaten in last six league games |
| Sunderland | Winless in last six away league games (D3 L3), joint-heaviest league defeat this season |
Premier League struggles continue for Sunderland against Brentford and Igor Thiago
Sunderland’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford matched their heaviest Premier League loss of the season, having also gone down 3-0 at Manchester City in December. The Black Cats last suffered a larger away defeat in any of the top four divisions in January 2022, when Bolton Wanderers beat Sunderland 6-0 in League One.
The current away run is Sunderland’s longest sequence without an away Premier League victory within a single season since 2015-16. During that earlier campaign, under Dick Advocaat and Sam Allardyce, Sunderland also failed to win any of their first six away league matches, highlighting how deep the present travel issues now run.
Regis Le Bris admitted that Brentford controlled key moments in this Premier League contest. Le Bris said: "It is a tough place. Well done to Brentford because they were good. We didn't start well. We had the opportunity to be back in the game but we missed it. It was like going 2-0 down because the energy of the stadium went high, and it was the beginning of the end for us. It was the main switch of the game and after that they were better than us. We have to lose as a team. We were not at the level. We won't search for excuses. We have to manage the conditions we have. "
Across the evening, Brentford’s victory, Thiago’s scoring record and the statistical markers for both clubs offered a clear picture. Brentford strengthened a strong league position and extended momentum, while Sunderland’s away form and goal difference took another hit, reinforcing contrasting trajectories within this Premier League campaign.
