player to ever achieve the figure, joining the likes of Frank Lampard and Ryan GiggsthThe midfielder is only the 10, and is the youngest footballer to do so in the history of the Premier League.
Gareth has become a key figure in the centre of the park for the Toffees, and once more put in an influential performance on Tyneside to mark his career milestone.
“It’s fantastic,” Barry told Sky Sports 1.
“I’m really lucky to be able to achieve 500 games.
“I’ve stayed injury free, touch wood, this long and I want to keep going and help Everton up this league table.
“Fifteen years ago I was making my debut.
“Time flies, especially when you’re playing Premier League football, which is what you dream of as a child, so I want to try and play as long as possible.”
Congratulations, Gareth!
Elsewhere, for the second week in a row Abdi Ibrahim proved his worth to Stromsgodset by setting up another goal for his teammates in their 5-0 demolition of Sogndal.
A regular starter for the Norwegian side, Abdi has two assists and a goal in his last three games as his team battles for top spot in the Eliteserien.
They currently sit in second place and remain two points behind Rosenborg in first.
Good Morning Guys! Big Game Tonight For Us... We Need To Win And Go Top Of The League!!! #comeongodset
— Abdisalam Ibrahim (@abi_bra) September 27, 2013
Scott Sinclair started West Brom’s shock 2-1 win over Manchester United, but unfortunately for the winger he was forced to come off after just 13 minutes with a hamstring problem.
Neither Reece Wabara nor George Swan appeared for Doncaster and Sheffield Wednesday respectively when the two clubs met at Hillsborough at the weekend.
Paul Dickov’s Rovers ran out 1-0 winners but Wabara missed out through a foot injury, and was an unused sub as Doncaster went down 2-0 to Burnley in midweek.
The former City legend praised Reece’s desire to return for the South Yorkshire derby, telling the Sheffield Star: “Reece had an injection before the game on Saturday because he was so desperate to play.
“That’s an indication of the character of the players we’ve got here.
“He was in a lot of pain after the game but the fact he’s put himself out there says a lot.
“That sort of character runs through the squad.
“He’s got a massive slice under his foot and there’s a bit of bruising there, but he’ll live. He’ll be all right.”
The defender was a regular starter before his spell on the sidelines and will now hope to regain his place in the back line once fully fit.
Harry Bunn was also missing in Sheffield United’s 2-0 defeat to Wolves in League One.
In Russia, Abdul Razak made his debut for Anzhi Makhachkala this week, coming off the bench to play the last 34 minutes of their stalemate with City’s Champions League opponents, CSKA Moscow.
The Ivorian had to be content with a place on the bench in the following 2-2 draw with Amkar Perm as he continues to come back from injury.
Anzhi are currently bottom of the league so will be hoping for Abdul to make a significant impact when he regains full fitness.
Match Day. pic.twitter.com/QmNQClqrdr
— Abdul Razak (@Razak) September 29, 2013
Defender Karim Rekik continues to miss out with PSV through injury. The Dutch club are currently tied at the top of the Eredivisie on 15 points despite a 2-1 loss to AZ Alkmaar at the weekend.
Mohammed Abu is yet to make his debut for AGF Aarhus.
