'an Absolute Legend' - Milner Lauded After Goals At 16 And 39

When a 16-year-old James Milner netted his first Premier League extremity for Leeds against Sunderland successful 2002, he astir apt would not person expected to beryllium scoring different successful nan apical formation 23 years later.

In converting from nan punishment spot astatine nan property of 39 years and 239 days successful Brighton's 2-1 triumph against his erstwhile nine Manchester City, he became nan Premier League's second-oldest goalscorer, adding to nan feat of being nan 2nd youngest erstwhile aged 16 years and 356 days.

Asked astir nan spot-kick that cancelled retired Erling Haaland's opener and sparked Brighton's comeback success, Milner told Sky Sports "it's not nan easiest thing, but my acquisition helped".

That highlights a standout facet of his profession and character. With 640 Premier League appearances, fewer tin compete pinch his level of engagement successful nan apical flight.

His extremity ended a six-year drought, backmost to erstwhile he netted for Liverpool astatine Leicester City successful 2019, yet nan spread of 2075 days is only nan 50th longest successful nan Premier League.

Milner's erstwhile City and England team-mate Joe Hart said nan versatile subordinate - who turns 40 successful January and tin play astatine full-back aliases midfield - "still looks fresh and fresh".

Such is nan longevity of Milner's career, he has now scored successful nan Premier League against goalkeepers calved successful nan 1960s, 1970s, 1990s and 2000s.

"An absolute fable of nan game," is really he was described by erstwhile Chelsea stopper Mark Schwarzer.

"His longevity, his fittingness and he came connected coming and scored an fantabulous penalty. When you request those knowledgeable players to measurement up successful moments he does, he was ne'er going to awkward distant from it," added nan Australian connected BBC Radio 5 Live.

After wounded restricted him to conscionable 4 appearances past season, Milner told BBC Match of nan Day he thought he whitethorn not person been capable to transportation connected playing.

But, handed a one-year statement hold by Brighton, he was "delighted" to person travel disconnected nan chair to thief nan nine prime up their first convention win.

"I thought past play mightiness beryllium my past [because of injury]," admitted Milner, who won 3 Premier League titles pinch Manchester City and Liverpool.

"It's bully to get it (the goal) successful a victory, I'm delighted for nan boys. In nan first 2 games we didn't consciousness we sewage what we deserved. This triumph was a existent squad effort."

Hart said Milner was "doing himself awesome credit" by still playing astatine nan apical level astatine 39.

"James Milner is awesome - what a man," added nan erstwhile keeper connected BBC Radio 5 Live. "I knew erstwhile nan subordinate was guarding nan shot I knew Milner would return it. He is doing himself awesome credit.

"He is simply a really bully footballer, he is coming up to 40 and he still looks fresh and fresh."

Brighton leader Fabian Hurzeler said Milner was a "very important characteristic and player" for nan Seagulls.

"He came connected and brought power and organised it, truthful I americium happy for him," he told BBC Match of nan Day.

Hurzeler added connected Sky Sports: "He spreads belief, that spreads to nan others. There was unit pinch nan punishment but he has dealt pinch unit successful his past and has sewage highlights successful his career. He has proved coming he tin thief us."

Milner has played for Leeds, Swindon, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton during a profession that has spanned much than 2 decades.

He dedicated his punishment onslaught to erstwhile Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota, saying he "meant truthful overmuch to everyone" and "it is an honour" to deterioration nan aforesaid number arsenic nan Portuguese, who died pinch his relative Andre Silva successful a car clang backmost successful July.

Milner copied 1 of Jota's celebrations and said: "I didn't deliberation I'd people excessively galore goals this season, but that's astir apt nan magic of his number connected nan shirt!"

Speaking to BBC Match of nan Day, he added: "It was horrific [what happened to him]. He was a awesome feline and a awesome team-mate. I loved him arsenic both.

"I've not scored [in nan Premier League] for six years and I was wearing his number. Obviously I've sewage thief from nan awesome man."