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Milner’s record pursuit poses potential issue for Brighton

James Milner is on the cusp of matching Gareth Barry’s record for the most Premier League appearances, with just one game standing in his way, but the impending milestone has raised questions about its potential impact on Brighton.

With 652 appearances in the Premier League, James Milner has had a storied career in the top flight.

As Brighton midfielder James Milner nears the all-time record for most Premier League appearances, he is on the cusp of a historic milestone.

The current record holder, Gareth Barry, accumulated 653 top-flight appearances during his time with Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Milner has the opportunity to equal Barry's record on Wednesday evening when Brighton faces Aston Villa, a moment that will likely be met with a mix of celebration and relief from fans.

Some supporters have expressed concerns that Milner's recent appearances off the bench may be motivated by a desire to break the record rather than benefit the team.

According to Scott McCarthy of We are Brighton, "The substitution of James Milner by Fabian Hurzeler against Fulham was puzzling and not the first instance this season where such a decision has raised eyebrows."

This perception has contributed to the notion that Milner is being given appearances solely to facilitate his pursuit of the record.

For example, Hurzeler's decision to bring on Milner at Anfield in December was seen as a symbolic gesture, allowing Milner to receive a warm reception from the crowd.

The move was met with skepticism at the time, with some viewing it as an unnecessary substitution.

Throughout his career, Milner has made significant contributions to the teams he has played for, demonstrating his value as a player.

His achievements include multiple Premier League titles with Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as a Champions League win with Liverpool.

As Milner has aged, his influence on the pitch has naturally diminished, and this season he has made 14 Premier League appearances, with 12 of those coming from the bench.

While he has scored one goal and provided one assist, Milner's impact extends beyond these statistics, offering intangible benefits to his team.

Former England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer praised Milner, saying, "He is a reliable presence, and having him in your squad is a valuable asset."

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards also spoke highly of Milner, highlighting his dedication and strong work ethic.

Richards noted that Milner's approach to training is exemplary, often pushing his teammates to improve their habits and preparation.

This level of commitment has earned Milner the respect of his peers and coaches alike.

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Pundits have been reflecting on James Milner's remarkable career, highlighting his achievements and contributions to the sport.

This season, Milner has played a total of 310 minutes, averaging 22 minutes per game across his 14 appearances.

In his last five Premier League appearances, Milner has been introduced in the final 10 minutes, prompting some fans to question the value of his contributions.

Scott McCarthy noted that while Milner's introduction against Liverpool was frustrating, it had no significant impact on the outcome of the game.

In contrast, McCarthy felt that Milner's introduction against Fulham was more problematic, as it disrupted the team's balance and allowed Fulham to score a winning goal.

The timing of Milner's substitution against Fulham, with 81 minutes played, was seen as particularly questionable, given the team's performance up to that point.

The frustration among some Brighton fans regarding Milner's late appearances is exacerbated by the team's current poor run of form, with only one win in their last 12 Premier League games.

A fan named Joe expressed his disagreement with the decision to keep Milner in the playing squad, suggesting that he would be better suited as a member of the coaching staff.

Another fan, Brian, shared similar concerns, feeling that Milner's introductions often disrupt the team's balance and are motivated by a desire to help him break the record.

In contrast, Graham defended Milner's role in the team, arguing that his experience and defensive capabilities make him a valuable asset.

Rozzer praised Milner's professionalism and dedication, believing that he deserves to break the record and has been a positive influence on the sport.

If Milner equals Barry's record on Wednesday, he will have achieved it with significantly fewer minutes played than Barry accumulated throughout his career.

Barry spent 54,439 minutes on the pitch, compared to Milner's 40,408 minutes.

However, Milner's productivity during his time on the pitch is notable, with 56 goals and 90 assists, statistics that compare favorably to Barry's record.

Milner's goal and assist numbers demonstrate his ability to make a significant impact on the game, even if he has not played as many minutes as Barry.

Milner's longevity in the sport is a testament to his endurance and dedication.

Since the Premier League's inception in 1992-93, nearly half of the players who have participated in the league have either played alongside or against Milner.

Throughout his career, Milner has faced 99.9% of the 876 players who have played at least 100 games in the last 24 Premier League seasons.

The only player who has not faced Milner is Brentford's Nathan Collins, although this could change when the two teams meet on 21 February.

Milner has also played under 21 different managers in the Premier League, a testament to his adaptability and enduring presence in the league.

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UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances

The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.

In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.

The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.

Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.

The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.

In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.

Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.

Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.

The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.

Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.

Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.

Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.

In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.

For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.

In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.

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GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.

Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.

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Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling

A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.

The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair -  smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible.
Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.

Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.

Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.

The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera.  He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night.
Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.

The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.

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