Latest news with #FabianHürzeler
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Every Salah goal from Liverpool's 2024-25 season
Hürzeler: 'I'm very grateful for working with this team' Fabian Hürzeler looked back on his first season at Brighton ahead of the final home game of the 2024-25 season against title winners Liverpool. 0:51 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
James Milner: I feared I'd never walk properly again
James Milner has said he is close to agreeing a new contract to stay at Brighton & Hove Albion after recovering from nerve damage that left him unable to lift his foot. The 39-year-old had doubts about ever being able to walk properly again after he damaged a nerve following an operation on his knee. Even though Milner had not played since the end of August, Fabian Hürzeler, the Brighton head coach, brought Milner on against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday as a gesture of gratitude for the midfielder's contributions this season. 'I didn't know whether I could walk properly again let alone play football again,' Milner said. 'It's been a long road. I had a contact injury in training before the Arsenal game on my knee. 'It was stable but then my hamstring went. It looked like there was a problem with my hamstring but there was nothing wrong with my hamstring. I had a knee operation and knee reconstruction. 'It was fine and I would have been back at the start of December but then a nerve got damaged. After the operation I couldn't lift my foot or my toes. December 31 was the first time I saw any flicker of life. It was literally a tendon. 'It's been a long, tough road and it drove me on. I don't think many people would have probably come back from this.' Milner, who joined Brighton in 2023 on a free transfer after eight years at Liverpool, says he would have been fit 'next week' if the season was continuing. He wants to stay with Brighton for what would be his 24th campaign in the Premier League, and one in which he would turn 40. 'I think this season's been frustrating. I started the season well, I look at my fitness now and I feel good,' he said. 'Coming on today, I would like to keep playing, I've definitely got another year left in me. I think we're in talks with the club and quite close so it will be nice to be here and be part of the team and help the boys.' Brighton's 4-1 victory over Tottenham meant they ended the season in eighth, which was their second best finish in the Premier League. 'We have good players and good results but there have been times when we've dropped points and shouldn't have done,' Milner said. 'Hopefully with myself and the senior guys involved, we can keep pushing these guys.'
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
James Milner opens up on nine-month absence: ‘I didn't know if I could walk properly again'
James Milner has opened up over the freak knee surgery complication that left him unable to move his foot for months and fearing he would not walk normally, let alone return to football. The 39-year-old Brighton midfielder made an emotional comeback as a late substitute at Tottenham on Sunday after nine months out – it took him to 638 Premier League appearances; Gareth Barry holds the competition record with 653. Milner has it in his sights because he is close to signing a one-year contract extension, with the Brighton manager, Fabian Hürzeler, making it clear that he values his experience and leadership. However, Milner was more keen to reflect on the journey he has taken since being forced off at Arsenal last August in the third game of the league season. He needed a knee reconstruction and the idea was for him to return in early December. That was before he sustained nerve damage to a tendon during the procedure. 'After the operation, I couldn't lift my foot or my toes,' Milner said. 'December 31 was the first time I saw any flicker of life. It [the complication] wasn't age-related. It was just a bit of bad luck – one in however many thousand. 'There was a chance I might not have come back at all. I didn't know whether I could walk properly again let alone play football. I don't think many people would have come back from this. The medical staff have been incredible, Sean Duggan [the Brighton physiotherapist] has been absolutely unbelievable. We worked hard and the hard work's paid off. To be part of it on the pitch again made it all worthwhile.' Milner was asked whether any medics had told him he might have to retire. 'Nobody said quit the game,' he replied. 'There were obviously doubts from some people that I would get back but nobody said quit it. Not many people have had this and with my age it was highly unlikely I would get back. But I think that was one of the things that drove me most.' Milner turns 40 in January and he is determined to have an impact next season in what would be his 24th in the Premier League. This time out, he became the first player to play in 23 seasons in the competition. He made his debut for Leeds as a 16-year-old at West Ham in November 2002. 'I would like to keep playing,' he said. 'I've definitely got another year left in me. We're in talks with the club and quite close so it will be nice to be here and be part of the team and help the boys.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
James Milner opens up on nine-month absence: ‘I didn't know if I could walk properly again'
James Milner has opened up over the freak knee surgery complication that left him unable to move his foot for months and fearing he would not walk normally, let alone return to football. The 39-year-old Brighton midfielder made an emotional comeback as a late substitute at Tottenham on Sunday after nine months out – it took him to 638 Premier League appearances; Gareth Barry holds the competition record with 653. Advertisement Related: Ange Postecoglou in the dark after Brighton deliver record-equalling defeat Milner has it in his sights because he is close to signing a one-year contract extension, with the Brighton manager, Fabian Hürzeler, making it clear that he values his experience and leadership. However, Milner was more keen to reflect on the journey he has taken since being forced off at Arsenal last August in the third game of the league season. He needed a knee reconstruction and the idea was for him to return in early December. That was before he sustained nerve damage to a tendon during the procedure. 'After the operation, I couldn't lift my foot or my toes,' Milner said. 'December 31 was the first time I saw any flicker of life. It [the complication] wasn't age-related. It was just a bit of bad luck – one in however many thousand. Advertisement 'There was a chance I might not have come back at all. I didn't know whether I could walk properly again let alone play football. I don't think many people would have come back from this. The medical staff have been incredible, Sean Duggan [the Brighton physiotherapist] has been absolutely unbelievable. We worked hard and the hard work's paid off. To be part of it on the pitch again made it all worthwhile.' Milner was asked whether any medics had told him he might have to retire. 'Nobody said quit the game,' he replied. 'There were obviously doubts from some people that I would get back but nobody said quit it. Not many people have had this and with my age it was highly unlikely I would get back. But I think that was one of the things that drove me most.' Milner turns 40 in January and he is determined to have an impact next season in what would be his 24th in the Premier League. This time out, he became the first player to play in 23 seasons in the competition. He made his debut for Leeds as a 16-year-old at West Ham in November 2002. 'I would like to keep playing,' he said. 'I've definitely got another year left in me. We're in talks with the club and quite close so it will be nice to be here and be part of the team and help the boys.'
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Premier League 2024-25 review: goals of the season
It took something special from Mitoma to bring down the raking long pass of the Brighton goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen'. The Japan winger's first touch as the ball came down over his head was sublime, each alternate angle proving better than the next, before he dribbled away from Trevoh Chalobah and curled a low shot past Filip Jörgensen. Mitoma has often received plaudits for his technical ability, but this one truly felt like one of his best. 'The touch is as good as anything you will see in the Premier League this season. And the finish isn't bad either,' said Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports. 'That's Messi-like and I don't say that lightly. Pure genius.' Mitoma's goal started the rush against Chelsea, with Yankuba Minteh adding two goals in the 3-0 victory. 'I don't know if I ever saw something like this as a coach from my own player,' said Fabian Hürzeler. 'To coordinate everything – the speed of the ball, the height of the ball and your legs – is a special thing. We shouldn't underestimate that he was in a full sprint. I wouldn't try it at home, but he has a special talent.' It was a shock early in the season when Everton, who had yet to earn a Premier League point three games in, went 2-0 up at Villa Park with goals from Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Ollie Watkins restored parity for Villa either side of half-time but ultimately the substitute Durán was the hero, firing home a long-range screamer into the top corner 14 minutes from time to complete the turnaround. It was the third time in four Premier League matches Durán had scored a winner from off the bench and the effort was so impressive it stunned even his teammates, with Youri Tielemans and Emi Martínez holding their heads in disbelief after the winner. 'It takes a moment of magic like that and Jhon has come up with it,' said Watkins. 'Everyone knows what he can do and when he's got the opportunity he shows it. It's one of the best we've seen. If you back yourself to shoot from that far, why not?' Fulham were a goal behind entering the final minutes of stoppage time when Wilson, who had come on with eight minutes remaining, met Adama Traoré's cross with the outside of his boot in an audacious midair backheel that looped over the Brentford goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, and into the net. He scored again in the seventh minute of added time to snatch all three points. 'The manager told me to find space and when the ball gets wide try to get in the box, and that's what I did,' said Wilson. 'The first one, I just helped it on to the back post. That moment when it left my foot, it seemed to take for ever to loop in. There was silence, and then the roar when it hit the net was amazing. That feeling will live with me for a long, long time.' Ipswich are heading back to the Championship but they will not go down without their fair share of memorable moments. One of them being Davis's stunning strike against Leicester when the left-back took Sam Morsy's lofted pass first-time and volley the ball across the face of goal from a tight angle into the far corner for the opener. It was the 25-year-old's first Premier League goal but talk after the match mostly surrounded Kalvin Phillips's red card and the referee not awarding the hosts a penalty before Leicester equalised. 'I'm buzzing that is my first goal but I would have been happier with the three points,' said Davis. 'I was just in the right place at the right time. I've always wanted to score in the Prem.' Few things are as satisfying as seeing a routine straight from the training ground come to life on the pitch. Arsenal, who have found success hurting teams from set pieces, were given a dose of their own medicine when a clever corner manoeuvre allowed the Bournemouth substitute to open up his body and slam home an emphatic opener with some great technique. The short, low corner from Lewis Cook was followed up with Justin Kluivert's clever nonchalant flick near the penalty spot before Christie sidefooted the bouncing ball high into the net. A few months later, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah delivered a similar blow to Manchester City but Christie's effort just edges it on our list because of Salah's deflecting in off a heavy touch from Nathan Aké. 'The advantage they have at set plays is they are taller than us,' said the Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola. 'So we had to find another way to make a difference. Today it worked and it was important.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Marmoush wasted no time in atoning for his disappointing FA Cup final penalty miss against Crystal Palace. In Manchester City's push for a Champions League place, the Egyptian opened the scoring against Bournemouth with a fizzing 30-yard strike that clipped a post before crashing into the top-left corner. Kepa Arrizabalaga was left rooted as the shot almost took the net off the goal and the roof off the stadium as fans were sent into a frenzy. What made the goal particularly special was the dip Marmoush got on the ball, as it initially appeared to be sailing high and wide when it first left his foot. The match marked Kevin De Bruyne's farewell at the Etihad Stadium after a decade at the club and, while the Belgian did not score, Marmoush's goal felt reminiscent of many the legend had amassed, a perfect ode to his time at the club.
