{"id":753,"date":"2016-09-19T09:39:28","date_gmt":"2016-09-19T13:39:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=753"},"modified":"2016-09-19T09:39:28","modified_gmt":"2016-09-19T13:39:28","slug":"gareth-barry-milestone-600th-appearance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/09\/19\/gareth-barry-milestone-600th-appearance\/","title":{"rendered":"Gareth Barry as Good as Ever on Milestone 600th Appearance"},"content":{"rendered":"

24 minutes into Gareth Barry\u2019s<\/strong> 600th<\/sup> Premier League<\/strong> appearance, a Kevin Mirallas<\/strong> corner ricocheted off the back of Alvaro Negredo<\/strong> and into the path of the 35-year-old. Bouncing at pace, and with Barry stood at a tight angle in relation to the goal mouth, he side-footed the ball smartly into the net to draw Everton<\/strong> level with Middlesbrough<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In an instant, the finish was met with jubilation from the home faithful as their team had replied promptly to falling a goal behind. Seconds later there was a standing ovation as the man reaching a remarkable milestone wheeled away in celebration. It perfectly portrayed the affinity and respect Evertonians<\/strong> have developed for the English<\/strong>\u00a0midfielder.<\/p>\n

He was replaced in the 90th<\/sup> minute, to another round of applause. And in-between those two moments of adulation he put in another stellar midfield performance. At 35, and 18 years into his career, Barry is still looking as fresh as ever, as professional as ever, and as good as he ever has been.<\/p>\n

Gareth Barry shone in 600th Premier League appearance<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Sitting deep in midfield, alongside Idrissa Gueye<\/strong><\/a>, Barry has struck up a very good understanding with the Senegalese<\/strong> international. As an end-to-end game ensued in the early stages of the game, Barry and Gueye continuously nicked the ball from Middlesbrough and set up attacks of their own.<\/p>\n

Between them, Barry and Gueye totalled 11 tackles<\/a> and 155 passes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shortly after Maarten Stekelenburg<\/strong> conceded a controversial own goal, Barry equalised. After some terrific movement on Mirallas\u2019 corner, Barry found himself unmarked at the back post to sweep home his second of the season. He has now scored as many goals in his last four games as he did in his previous 95.<\/p>\n

As Everton went on to score two more in quick succession, Barry remained influential. Always showing for the ball, the 35-year-old dictated the game from the middle third of the pitch. He continuously sprayed the ball wide, where the Toffees were most dangerous.<\/p>\n

Seamus Coleman cut in from the right flank to power a left-footed drive beyond Victor Valdes<\/strong> to put Everton ahead. And just before half time, Yannick Bolasie<\/strong> would cross from the same side for Romelu Lukaku<\/strong> to make it\u00a03-1<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Another good win at Goodison Park!Congratulations to Gareth Barry for scoring on his 600th @premierleague<\/a> appearance pic.twitter.com\/d9B1Th6V7W<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) September 17, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n