The EFL veteran who’s only player in history to score hat-trick in top four leagues, FA Cup, League Cup and for his country

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The EFL has been the home of some iconic players and names for decades, with strikers particularly the focus when winning acclaim and adulation.

The Golden Boot race is yet to be decided this season, but many of the Championship’s best players are vying to win it during the last six games of the regular league season.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	BurnleyBurnley	40	23	15	2	55	12	43	84
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	40	26	7	7	56	30	26	83
3	LeedsLeeds	40	23	13	4	79	28	51	82
4	SunderlandSunderland	40	21	12	7	57	37	20	75
5	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	40	17	9	14	61	49	12	60
6	Bristol CityBristol City	40	15	15	10	51	43	8	60
7	CoventryCoventry	40	17	8	15	57	53	4	59
8	West BromWest Brom	40	13	18	9	48	36	12	57
9	MillwallMillwall	40	14	12	14	39	41	-2	54
10	WatfordWatford	40	15	8	17	48	53	-5	53
11	NorwichNorwich	40	13	13	14	62	56	6	52
12	BlackburnBlackburn	40	15	7	18	42	43	-1	52

We have ranked the 10 highest scoring Championship players ever recently, but one name that wasn’t present is one of the true legends of the EFL: Robert Earnshaw.

Earnshaw’s playing career began shortly before the inaugural 2004/05 campaign, but he played some part in eight campaigns in the Championship, and a further six seasons in the old League One and League Two.

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Robert Earnshaw maintains goalscoring record no one else can match

Few strikers in modern EFL history have been quite as prolific, entertaining, and universally admired as Earnshaw. The Welsh forward, who rose through the ranks at Cardiff City, was a natural-born goalscorer with a knack for popping up in big moments.

It was in South Wales where Earnshaw really made a name for himself. His pace in behind and sharp finishing lit up the lower divisions, helping the Bluebirds to promotion from the old Division Two in 2003.

That same season, he bagged an astonishing 35 goals in all competitions – a club record – and was rightly named in the PFA Team of the Year. He stayed for a little longer but his exploits earned him a move to the Premier League with West Brom eventually.

That is where the Baggies are hoping to get via the play-offs, although they have failed to do so in their recent history. However, for Earnshaw, it wasn’t until he dropped back into the Championship with Norwich City that he rediscovered his best form.

He scored 27 goals in 47 games for the Canaries during a reminder of how lethal he could be when given service, particularly at Championship level. That being said, Earnshaw’s goalscoring exploits extended beyond the second tier.

He remains the only player in history to score a hat-trick in the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, FA Cup, and League Cup, while also bagging one for his country at international level.

Earnshaw might not have stayed at one club for long, but wherever he went, goals followed. The Welsh international striker played alongside the likes of Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale but was rarely outshone, while at Football League level he was a true icon with an electric smile and a deadly right foot.

• READ MORE: Five of the best Championship play-off finals include Reading nightmare and a Charlie Adam screamer

Rob Earnshaw’s career goalscoring record

Earnshaw was widely respected wherever he went. Later, at Nottingham Forest, he became somewhat of a fan favourite once more, netting consistently across three seasons and playing a vital role in their push for promotion.

His ability to find space and punish tired defences made him a nightmare at Championship level in particular. It was perhaps for for Wales where Earnshaw was the most impactful outside of Cardiff. With 16 goals in 59 caps, he remains one of his country’s top post-war scorers.

His debut goal against Germany in 2002 stands out as a highlight outside of that hat-trick against Scotland, as it underlined his big-game mentality.