James Milner showed he can still contribute during his record-breaking 654th Premier League appearance as Brighton won at Brentford. Milner’s inclusion meant he moved past Gareth Barry’s record tally in the competition and it proved an occasion to remember for the Seagulls after first-half goals by Diego Gómez and Danny Welbeck.
The pressure had mounted on Fabian Hürzeler after one league win in 13 games and he turned to the veteran midfielder in an attempt to arrest a worrying run of results after a recent start at Aston Villa. The 40-year-old produced an accomplished display on a landmark occasion before his 90th-minute substitution was marked with applause from both sets of supporters.
Brighton players pushed Milner out in front to celebrate with the away fans at full time, but the former England international insisted there is more to come. “There’s been a lot of talk about it. For me, anyone who knows me, the most important thing has always been the team,” Milner told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I’m delighted I was able to play a few more minutes today and at Villa and hopefully people can see I can still contribute to the team.
“It’s a big number and it’s nice to get to the record, but it’s an opportunity to give a nod to so many people who have helped me, the family and friends who have been there from the start, the sacrifice they’ve made.
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• James Milner made his 654th Premier League appearance in this game, overtaking Gareth Barry (653) to become the outright leading appearance maker in the competition’s history.
• Milner has faced 43 different sides in the Premier League remaining unbeaten against seven teams, with one of those being Brentford, ending on the winning side in all four of his appearances against the Bees.
• Brighton secured just their second Premier League win since the start of December (P14 W2 D6 L6), with this their first victory in seven (D3 L3) since beating Burnley 2-0 last month.
“The physios, sports scientists that have supported me, Sean Duggan the physio at Brighton who when I couldn’t lift my foot for six months last year helped get me back on the field. To be honest, it’ll be nice to stop getting asked about it and concentrate on my football. I’m desperate to do well for Brighton and finish the season strongly.”
Tony Blair was prime minister when Milner made his top-flight debut for his hometown club, Leeds, more than 23 years ago and Westlife’s aptlytitled hit Unbreakable was No 1 in the UK singles chart.
Hürzeler said of Milner: “He is still super fit. Every week and in every training session he runs the most, he sprints the most and therefore it is not a surprise that he is capable of doing these performances.
“He is capable of doing a lot of impossible things and when you see his body and how he manages it, I don’t know what he will do and how long he will continue playing, but I just enjoy working with him.”
Keith Andrews cut a frustrated figure, but was not surprised by Brentford fans showing their respect to Milner. “He’s had a very special career, the longevity of it and the professionalism he has shown throughout that period to still play at the level he has,” he said.
“Our club is very classy and respectful. Certainly for an individual like that, what he has achieved in his career and what he achieved today to take the lead, I’m not really surprised.”
