How to add <br> tag in PHP Date format

Is there a way to add a line break
in PHP date formats? I am using a plugin for WordPress which allows for the use of regular PHP date formats and have tried numerous options but not gotten something to work yet.

What I have tried:

• l </br> j M
• l \n j M

Thanks!

echo date("l<\b\\r>j M");

or

echo date('l<\b\r>j M');

Outputs:

Wednesday<br>2 Jan