James Milner has broken the record for the most appearances in Premier League history after starting in Brighton’s match against Brentford on Saturday, Milner’s 654th in the competition.
Milner was substituted in the 90th minute of Brighton’s 2-0 win in west London, receiving a round of applause from both sets of supporters at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The 40-year-old had equalled the record of 653 matches, set by Gareth Barry, earlier this month.
Milner has represented Leeds United, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton, winning two Premier League titles at the Etihad and one on Merseyside under Jürgen Klopp.
Brighton players pushed Milner out in front to celebrate with the away fans at full-time on Saturday, 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.
“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.”
Milner is seven years older than under-pressure Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler who turned to Milner on Saturday in a successful attempt to arrest a worrying run of results.
“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,” the Brighton boss said.
“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.”
Brighton still have 11 Premier League matches remaining this season, giving Milner further opportunity to extend his record.
As well as moving clear of his former Villa teammate Barry in the all-time list, Milner extended his lead over Ryan Giggs (632 appearances). Frank Lampard (609) and David James (572) make up the top five.
Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer (544), Gary Speed (535), Emile Heskey (516), Jamie Carragher (508) and Phil Neville (505) round out the top 10.
Milner has scored 56 goals in his 654 matches with his first coming in his fifth senior appearance for Leeds in 2002, aged just 16 years and 356 days. The goal made him the youngest player to score a goal in Premier League history before James Vaughan found the back of the net for Everton in 2005.
The Englishman has 90 Premier League assists to his name — a personal single-season high 12 were registered in 2009-10 when he was the creative fulcrum of an exciting Villa team.
– How James Milner broke Premier League’s appearances record
– Milner breaks Premier League appearance record: His wild career stats
– Klopp on Milner record: Liverpool success impossible without him
