James Milner has damaged the file for essentially the most appearances in Premier League historical past after beginning in Brighton’s match in opposition to Brentford on Saturday, Milner’s 654th within the competitors.
Milner was substituted within the ninetieth minute of Brighton’s 2-0 win in west London, receiving a spherical of applause from each units of supporters on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium.
The 40-year-old had equalled the file of 653 matches, set by Gareth Barry, earlier this month.
Milner has represented Leeds United, Newcastle United, Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool and Brighton, successful two Premier League titles on the Etihad and one on Merseyside underneath Jürgen Klopp.
Brighton gamers pushed Milner out in entrance to rejoice with the away followers at full-time on Saturday, however the former England worldwide insisted there may be extra to come back.
“There’s been lots of discuss it. For me, anybody who is aware of me, an important factor has at all times been the group,” Milner instructed BBC Radio 5 Reside.
“I am delighted I used to be in a position to play just a few extra minutes right this moment and at Villa and hopefully folks can see I can nonetheless contribute to the group.
“It is a huge quantity and it is good to get to the file, but it surely’s a chance to provide a nod to so many individuals who’ve helped me, the household and buddies who’ve been there from the beginning, the sacrifice they’ve made.
“The physios, sports activities scientists which have supported me, Sean Duggan the physio at Brighton who once I could not raise my foot for six months final yr helped get me again on the sphere.
“To be trustworthy, it’s going to be good to cease getting requested about it and focus on my soccer! I am determined to do effectively for Brighton and end the season strongly.”
Milner is seven years older than under-pressure Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler who turned to Milner on Saturday in a profitable try and arrest a worrying run of outcomes.
“Each week and in each coaching session he runs essentially the most, he sprints essentially the most and subsequently it isn’t a shock that he’s able to doing these performances,” the Brighton boss mentioned.
“He’s able to doing lots of not possible issues and if you see his physique and the way he manages it, I do not know what he’ll do and the way lengthy he’ll proceed enjoying, however I simply take pleasure in working with him.”
Brighton nonetheless have 11 Premier League matches remaining this season, giving Milner additional alternative to increase his file.
In addition to shifting away from his former Villa teammate Barry within the all-time record, Milner prolonged his lead over Ryan Giggs (632 appearances). Frank Lampard (609) and David James (572) make up the highest 5.
Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer (544), Gary Pace (535), Emile Heskey (516), Jamie Carragher (508) and Phil Neville (505) spherical out the highest 10.
Milner has scored 56 objectives in his 654 matches along with his first coming in his fifth senior look for Leeds in 2002, aged simply 16 years and 356 days. The aim made him the youngest participant to attain a aim in Premier League historical past earlier than James Vaughan discovered the again of the online for Everton in 2005.
The Englishman has 90 Premier League assists to his identify — a private single-season excessive 12 had been registered in 2009-10 when he was the artistic fulcrum of an thrilling Villa group.
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– Klopp on Milner file: Liverpool success not possible with out him
