James Milner followed up his record-breaking Leeds United goal against Sunderland with a classic strike at Elland Road to score his first home goal for his boyhood club in 2002.
Leeds United will need to overcome their recent poor track record against Chelsea in the Premier League when the two sides meet on Wednesday (3rd December).
Daniel Farke is under mounting pressure in the run-up to the game, with reports suggesting that the 49ers will sack their manager if Leeds lose their next two games.
Leeds have beaten Chelsea just once since 2002, as Brenden Aaronson scored his first goal for the club in a 3-0 victory.
James Milner was the hero for Leeds in their 2002 victory over the Blues, as he continued to enjoy an incredible start to his Premier League career.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Chelsea
James Milner starred for Leeds United in a 2-0 win over Chelsea in 2002
The Premier League records just kept tumbling for Milner, as he took the first steps of his glittering career at Elland Road at the beginning of the 2002/03 season under Terry Venables.
Having become the second-youngest ever player in the Premier League when he made his debut against West Ham in November, Milner continued his meteoric rise by becoming the youngest goalscorer in the competition one month later, as he scored against Sunderland on Boxing Day.
However, the talented Leeds youngster truly announced himself to the Elland Road crowd two days later, as he scored his first home goal for Leeds against Chelsea in spectacular fashion.
With Leeds leading the game 1-0, Milner was brought on as a substitute to replace Harry Kewell in the 38th minute. He made his mark just before half-time with an unforgettable strike.
16-year-old James Milner’s incredible goal for Leeds United v Chelsea 🎯🚀
After receiving the ball on the edge of the box from Eirik Bakke, Milner took a touch which left World Cup winner Marcel Desailly flailing on the floor. Milner’s second touch got the ball out of his feet before he unleashed a pinpoint drive into the far corner of the net.
Leeds closed out a 2-0 win, one of their last under Terry Venables, but the crowd left with a new hero in the shape of the 16-year-old Milner.
Change in formation could allow Harry Gray to be Daniel Farke’s James Milner
Milner was one of the few bright spots in a difficult season for Leeds, which saw Peter Ridsdale resign and the club lurch too close to the relegation zone for comfort.
However, the emergence of Milner gave the fans something to celebrate, and the Leeds academy product has gone on to enjoy a distinguished Premier League career.
Young forward Harry Gray joined Milner in an exclusive club for Leeds when he was named in a Premier League matchday squad before his 17th birthday, but he has yet to make his debut for the Whites in the top flight.
Under Farke’s previous system, Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Lukas Nmecha typically played as a lone striker, limiting Gray’s chances of playing in his preferred position.
However, with Farke switching to a 5-3-2 and Leeds in need of some inspiration in the final third, the German could decide to roll the dice and give Gray his first-team shot as one of a front two.
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