"People joke that I only did it because he didn't do his homework," says former Premier League referee Jon Moss about the time he sent off James Milner.

Twenty-four years after making his debut, Milner, 40, will equal the record for most Premier League appearances if he features for Brighton against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

A stellar career spanning more than two decades, six top-flight clubs, 652 Premier League appearances, 61 England caps, three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League triumph has also delivered some unexpected moments.

Like the time Milner - known as 'Millie' by those close to him - was sent off by Moss, his former teacher at Westbrook Lane Primary School in Horsforth, Leeds, while playing for Liverpool against Crystal Palace in 2019.

"He said I couldn't wait to get my card out," laughs Moss about dismissing his former pupil after switching careers.

"People say I'm the only teacher to send off one of his pupils in a Premier League game. We can both laugh about it now."

Milner is set to go level...