When a 16-year-old James Milner netted his first Premier League goal for Leeds against Sunderland in 2002, he probably would not have expected to be scoring another in the top flight 23 years later.
In converting from the penalty spot at the age of 39 years and 239 days in Brighton’s 2-1 win against his former club Manchester City, he became the Premier League’s second-oldest goalscorer, adding to the feat of being the second youngest when aged 16 years and 356 days.
Teddy Sheringham holds the oldest record at 40 years and 268 days when he scored for West Ham against Portsmouth on 26 December, 2006, while James Vaughan was aged 16 years and 270 days when he netted for Everton against Crystal Palace on 10 April, 2005.
Asked about the spot-kick that cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener and sparked Brighton’s comeback success, Milner told Sky Sports “it’s not the easiest thing, but my experience helped”.
That highlights a standout aspect of his career and character. With 640 Premier League appearances, few can compete with his level of involvement in the top flight.
His goal ended a six-year drought, back to when he netted for Liverpool at Leicester City in 2019, yet the gap of 2075 days is only the 50th longest in the Premier League.
Milner’s former City and England team-mate Joe Hart said the versatile player – who turns 40 in January and can play at full-back or midfield – “still looks fit and fresh”.
Such is the longevity of Milner’s career, he has now scored in the Premier League against goalkeepers born in the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s and 2000s.
“An absolute legend of the game,” is how he was described by former Chelsea stopper Mark Schwarzer.
“His longevity, his fitness and he came on today and scored an excellent penalty. When you need those experienced players to step up in moments he does, he was never going to shy away from it,” added the Australian on BBC Radio 5 Live.