I saw James Milner blast Kaoru Mitoma against Nottingham Forest - Fabian Hurzeler must have loved it

There was a moment in the second half of Brighton's 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest that summed up James Milner.

The Seagulls have been known to let leads slip this season as they fail to manage matches or do the basics correctly at key moments.

Not on Milner's watch... and Mitoma found that out when he needlessly gave the ball away as Brighton desperately tried to relieve the pressure and see out a vital home victory.

Mitoma is great. A fantastic left winger capable of sublime moments and bamboozling the world's best full backs. He's also capable of being a bit casual and loose in possession.

It's happened a few times this season and it's not ideal when the team just needs to stay solid, keep possession and take the game away from the opposition.

Brighton had their noses in front against Forest as excellent goals from Diego Gomez and Danny Welbeck bettered Morgan Gibbs-White's long-range effort. Sixty minutes were on the clock when Mitoma, deep in Nottingham Forest's half, mis-placed a fairly simple pass and gifted possession to Forest.

Milner, 40, - starting his second game in a week - was having none of it. No way was he going to let that slide and Mitoma was soon on the receiving end of Milner's ’feedback’.

It was quite funny to watch as Milner gave him a rollicking and then seemed to catch himself and it turned to encouragement. A few pats on the back and Mitoma, suitably reprimanded, was on his way. Needless to say, the Japan star’s next pass found his man.

Casual lapses have proved costly

So often this season Brighton have paid for these casual lapses that invites pressure and then ultimately costs them points. It's probably a factor in why they won't qualify for Europe this season.

Mitoma's error seemed insignificant but in the grand scheme, it all adds up and Milner, playing in his 900th club match, knows that more than most.

That attention to detail, that professionalism and doing the simple things well has been missing from Brighton this season. Players on the pitch driving standards does not happen without the likes of Milner, Pascal Gross, Danny Welbeck and Lewis Dunk. Welbeck was also much more vocal in the closing stages as he shouted at teammates to press high, close down and not allow Forest time to build.

I'm sure Hurzeler would have loved Milner's on-pitch management of Mitoma and it more than likely saved the boss from having a pop at Mitoma after the match.

In times of trouble, Hurzeler has turned to his old guard to get the team and him out of hole. A talented array of young and expensive players have been placed on the bench as the teachers show the pupils how it’s done and what it takes to get over the line in the Premier league.

Hopefully the likes of Carlos Baleba, Georginio and Yankuba Minteh are taking notes.