Something in the Making: Lam Matteo

[Matt10]

Giovinco scored a very passionate goal - the one that Fulham the lead. Unfortunately, Didier Drogba was on the pitch.
Chelsea 4-3 Fulham
Cottagers falter at the foot of Drogba' four goals
-Johnson Peoples, May, 2012
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'3-'31-'63-'69 Drogba
'32 Lazaros, '35 Giovinco, '48 Danny Murphy

Standings: Fulham (13-4-14, 40 pts - 14th)
Next Match: v Tottenham (H)
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Pull the Trigger. Matteo had his chance 1v1 against Ashley Cole, dribbled too much and fell down. Something that Matteo is good at is long range shooting - he needs to stick with that just like he did against Hull City last week. This week, Chelsea did not look as powerful, but Drogba alone did. It just wasn't Fulham's day. Tottenham up next.

[Matt10]

Matteo to start versus Tottenham
Johnson Peoples (Fulham FC Editor), 05.08.2012

Hard work has paid off for Lam Matteo, finally, his manager sees that and has placed the 26-year old in the starting lineup today against Tottenham at Craven Cottage.

"I think I deserve this," said a gracious Matteo at the pregame festivities, "I've scored a couple of goals this season - but have a lot more in me. I'd like to be a bigger part of Fulham's success from here on out."

Matteo, who has scored 2 goals in 9 matches, has had an up and down stint with injury, but the American striker has no worries about his health.

"Injuries are part of this game, sadly. I've been blessed to have a good recovery ability, so I'm not too bothered. If I do get injured, it just gives me more time to study the match film".

[kyhadley]

Don't f*ck it up.

[Matt10]

Berbatov strikes a beauty; but none would be sweeter for the Cottagers when Matteo equalized in injury time.
Fulham 2-2 Tottenham
Matteo's injury time goal knots Cottagers and Spurs
-Johnson Peoples, May, 2012
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'52 Kamara, '93 Matteo
'7 Berbatov, '57 Kaboul

Standings: Fulham (13-5-14, 44 pts - 13th)
Next Match: v Aston Villa (A)
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Savior. In a mix of teammates that shouldn't have been on the field in the first place, Matteo stood out as someone who wanted to win. I have to question manager Roy Hodgson's decision to keep Teymourian and Seol Ke Hyeon on the field at the same time - those two do not have enough chemistry, and it could have been much worse. Note that Matteo will miss the next match versus Aston Villa due to yellow card accumulation (3).





SIMMED RESULT
Fulham 4-0 Aston Villa
Cottagers obliterate Villa at home
-Johnson Peoples, June, 2012

Standings: Fulham (14-5-14, 47 pts - 12th)
Next Match: v Manchester United (A)
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[Matt10]

Matteo celebrates his equalizer in the first half, but the second half was all Man United and Rooney.
Manchester United 5-2 Fulham
Rooney's hat-trick and Tevez two goals too much for Cottagers
-Johnson Peoples, June, 2012
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'8-'47-'51 Rooney, '46-'51 Tevez
'36 Matteo, '48 Lazaros

Standings: Fulham (13-5-15, 47 pts - 13th)
Next Match: v West Ham (H)
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Most Impressive Fulham Player. No, he's not Man United caliber just yet, but Mr. Matteo is heating up - 2 for 2 in scoring goals as a starter, that can never hurt. With the closing of the season drawing near, it will be interesting to see how the offers stack up. In the back of my mind though, I'm still thinking about Anderlecht (I'm scarred!). We'll see how Matteo and Fulham can do next week as they host 5th place West Ham.

[Matt10]

Mark Noble notched two goals of his own, while Lam Matteo continues his scoring streak - but wasn't enough to overcome the drubbing.
Fulham 2-5 West Ham United
Pathetic first half, and uninspiring football, leads to Cottager's second straight defeat
-Johnson Peoples, June, 2012
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'49 Matteo, '83 Kalio
'29 Cole, '31-'86 Noble, '42 Solano, '43 Bowyer

Standings: Fulham (13-5-16, 47 pts - 13th)
Next Match: v Wigan Athletic (A)
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Bad Coaching. I would say Matteo was the best one on the field for Fulham today, but I'm a bit biased. I will say that manager, Roy Hodgson, made a mistake in playing Matteo alongside Healy - a man who can't seem to pass the ball for the life of him. Well, as for Matteo's goal - it was a thing of pure power. He received a great ball over the top of the defender's heads, collected it - and BAM! bottom corner. Thing of beauty that made no dent in the already unsurmountable lead of West Ham. With three matches remaining, Matteo is going to have to sum up all his willpower to help Fulham get out of this current rut they are in.

[kyhadley]

damn you can grow your hair out fast!

[Matt10]

Matteo had the best chance of the match when his bullet of a shot deflected off the crossbar. Heskey celebrates his goal.
Wigan Athletic 2-0 Fulham
Frustration sets in as Fulham lose three in a row
-Johnson Peoples, July, 2012
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'49 Heskey, '82 Schweinsteiger


Standings: Fulham (14-5-17, 47 pts - 13th)
Next Match: v Arsenal (A)
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Played like a 4.5. A 6.0 was probably not the most accurate rating for Lam Matteo - had he not had some decent shots on target (crossbar, ugh!) he would have received a 4.5 in my book. He passed the ball terribly today - just did not seem to show that determination we have seen in the past. Time to shape up as two games remain - and Fulham are headed downhill - can they finish strong with a couple wins against Arsenal and Bolton?

[kyhadley]

losing to Wigan?....tsk, tsk...

[Matt10]

As it was all day, Kamara thought his 85-th minute goal would be the winner, however, Van Persie had other plans in injury time.
Arsenal 5-5 Fulham
Van Persie relinquishes draw for Gunners in ten goal thriller
-Johnson Peoples, July, 2012
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'21-'31 Walcott, '23 Bale, '62-'92 Van Persie
'9-'29 Giovinco (PK), '25-'85 Kamara, '47 Hangeland

Standings: Fulham (14-5-17, 48 pts - 13th)
Next Match: v Arsenal (A)
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First assist, why 5.5? Ten goals and Matteo couldn't buy one. He was part of all of the goals though, especially the second goal by Gio when Matteo gave him a perfect lob over the Arsenal defense. Gio did what he does best and trapped the ball in the air, and before it hit the ground, smacked it towards the far corner - a truly beautiful goal. Last match of season comes up against 16th place Bolton, a team that has seemingly only lost by an average of one goal per match- basically, they do not concede many per match- Matteo better bring his A-Game.

[kyhadley]

whats up with the purple, I thought they were dark red?

and oh yeah, nice assist

[Matt10]

Matteo's strike in the first half lifted Craven Cottage's hopes, but they were downed when Clichy was brought down in the box - and Matty Taylor made no mistake from the spot..
Fulham 1-2 Bolton
Disorganized Fulham end season on a loss
-Johnson Peoples, August, 2012
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'44 Matteo
'57 Sjolund, '63 M.Taylor (PK)

Final Standings: Fulham (14-5-17, 48 pts - 13th)
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Bad taste in my mouth. It's been a great season, but something seems askew. Fulham started off great, but as soon as Matteo started to start games - things have kind have gone downhill - I know this could be coincidence, but you have to worry about that kind of thing. Oh well, great season for Matteo - six goals (8 on the season if you count Hull City). Next up is Negotations/League Results, etc. Stay tuned.

[Matt10]

whats up with the purple, I thought they were dark red?

and oh yeah, nice assist

I changed that ish cause f'in Arsenal game. Looks good though

[kyhadley]

I changed that ish cause f'in Arsenal game. Looks good though

yes, I quite like the purple actually. Could be a good look for Chaos if they *cough*ever played again*cough*

Trust me, i'm staying tuned.

[Matt10]

Manchester United win 2011 Premiership
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Is anyone out there surprised? The Red Devils obliterated the competition by winning 10-points. Their nearest combatants were Wigan Athletic with 72-points.


Wayne Rooney tops Premiership scoring charts with 48 goals
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He still looks like Shrek, though.

1. Rooney - Man Utd - 48
2. Heskey - Wigan - 35
3. Ashton - West Ham - 33
4. Van Persie - Arsenal - 32
5. Drogba - Chelsea - 28

Everton's Pienaar receives Top Assists award
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1. Pienaar - Everton - 16
2. M.Petrov - Man City - 14
2. Park Ji Sung - Man Utd - 14
4. Arteta - Everton - 13
4. Ronaldo - Man Utd - 13


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