‘He’s helping me already’ – James Milner gives emotional response after creating Premier League history

James Milner paid tribute to Diogo Jota after scoring his first goal for Brighton.

The 39-year-old man became the second top scorer in the Premier League with his penalty during the 2-1 victory of the Seagulls against Manchester City.

4

4

Only Teddy Sheringham is ahead of him after marked 40 years for West Ham against Portsmouth the day after Christmas in 2006.

Milner came out of the bench to equalize while the Seagulls won their first victory in the campaign League.

His kick of the 67th minute was followed by a late strike from his compatriot Brajan Gruda to give them the three points.

Milner’s effort also makes him the oldest player to mark a penalty in the Premier League at 39 years and 239 days.

After beating James Trafford 12 meters away, Milner recreated the celebration of Diogo Jota’s video game controller.

He had already paid tribute to his former Liverpool teammate earlier this summer by changing his shirt number.

Milner carries the n ° 20 for Brighton, the same number as Jota bore Liverpool before his tragic death at the age of 28 years in July.

The former Reds star had an emotional response when he was asked about his late friend after the match.

Having been asked about his record success, he told Talksport: “I was just told. I think it’s my first goal in six years.

“It is an honor to wear your number (JOTA) in the Premier League. Obviously, he already helps me.

4

4

“The number of goals he scored and I saw him scoring, he obviously helps me get his number.

“It was nice to climb on the score sheet and as I say even more special to wear the number of JOTS.”

Milner and Jota made 71 appearances together to Liverpool during their time as a teammates.

The celebration occurred while Milner helped inspire a return in the second half for the Seagulls after a quadruple change of Fabian Hurzeler.

Asked about the turnaround, he added: “Obviously, it is always a difficult game at home for them.

“One at the bottom and after the first two games, we did not feel like we have obtained the points that we deserved from these performances. But we continued as a team and it was a good decision of the manager.

“The boys did an excellent job in the match to this point. They worked very hard, so that was good. The manager made a good decision by bringing four at the same time.

“It is always important that boys on the bench have an impact and try to raise this. I hope we have managed to do it.”

Milner signed a new one -year agreement with Brighton earlier this summer.

His appearance on Sunday was his 640th at the top wheel, leaving him just 13 years old behind the Gareth Barry record.

Meanwhile, the former English international has now scored 56 goals in the Premier League since its beginnings at the age of 16 in 2002.