16/08/2008
Everton vs Blackburn Rovers at Goodison Park
Everton 4-3
Matt - 3 goals
23/08/2008
Everton vs West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns
Everton 3-0
Matt- 2 Assists
30/08/2008
Everton vs Portsmouth at Goodison Park
Everton 2-1
Matt - 1 Goal
Matt - 1 Assist
14/09/2008
Everton vs Stoke City at Britannia Stadium
Everton 3-1
Matt - 1 Goal
Matt - 1 Assist
21/09/2008
Everton vs Hull City at KC Stadium
Everton 4-2
Matt- 2 Assists
Matt - 1 Goal
Gary Lineker, with pundits like Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson,
(Third person pov)
25/09/2008
BBC Sport
"Just look at these stats, Gary. He's dominating the league! At 16" said Alan Hansen.
He sat on his brown seat looking at the big screen, which showed the stats.
"C'mon, dominating the league Alan? He's played Hull City and Stoke city, that's not dominating premier league, his first test would be Merseyside Derby, it's at home let's see if the kid can handle pressure" said Mark Lawrenson.
Before Gary lineker could say something Matt changed the channel.
He had gotten immune to the doubts and criticisms of these football experts/ pundits, atleast he thought he did, nobody has said something drastic to affect him anyway.
He's been playing good, he'd been rested the UEFA Cup games by coach, cause they were at the top of the table.
First time in the last 70 years, after 5 games, Everton was top of the table, above Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.
So naturally, the entire Focus was to keep it that way as long as possible, even Arteta didn't play the UEFA Cup.
They played the weaker side of the league, that's what the media is saying, and Everton players are trying to prove them wrong in the next game.
"I've scored 6 Goals, and 6 Assists, that's good, it could be better though" he said to himself, he has yet to take a single freekick.
Arteta was the primary taker and Matt didn't said anything to the coach about it, he really wanted to score freekicks, he liked the awe he saw in people's eyes after he scores one.
(Pov end)
(Matt's pov)
26/09/2008
"What's up grandpa Lawrence!" I greeted the man and sat infront of his table without asking him, he's not much for formalities, says it wastes time and he's already got little left.
"Good, how about you young man?" he said giving his toothless smile, his eyes shining with kindness.
"Feeling the jitters, tomorrow we play against your team after all" I said, Thomas Lawrence, he was one of the people I had met in this cafe.
And after finding out the man had 300 caps for Liverpool, I began talking constantly with him, the man is a legend after all.
He smiled again, "I remember, That never goes away. Enjoy it son, some might say it's bad. I say it's the best feeling in the world", his scousers accent mixed with Scottish, made him sound serious when he's a jolly man.
The man has played critical games, FA Cup finals, and won it in 1960s.
I nodded at his advice, "Any tips? Or something I should do?" I asked.
He looked a little distant, stirring his coffee, "Don't show weakness, never show weakness in the Derby" he said looking straight at me.
I smiled, "Get ready to loose than, I'm going to destroy Liverpool" I said making him laugh.
"Which club do you play again?" He asked with a smug smile, according to him, there's just one club in Liverpool.
I laughed, and shook my head, "I got to go, tactical training and stuff, see you after the game" I said to which he nods and began sipping his coffee.
It's always good seeing him, he only wants kindness in the world, and in Liverpool, that's rare.
"Kasper! I'm leaving" I yelled to the owner of the cafe.
"See ya tomorrow!" Was all I heard before moving out, I covered my face with a face mask not wanting to be swarmed, I've become quite a celebrity in this place of the town.
Honestly I like it when people gasp looking at me, only if that's all they did. It's Liverpool, and I've got myself a fair share of slurs called by their fans.
And nobody expects us to win tomorrow, theve got Gerrard, Xabi Alons, Carragher and Fernando Torres as striker.
It scares me and excites me, to play against them. Not the players, the team itself.
I remember seeing those goals, or art as I called it at the time of Torres, he's unstoppable.
"Hello Matilda" I said greeting the reception lady, she's in her 40's and been working here for more than 20 years, a kind lady.
"Hello dear! Coach is waiting in tactical room, Phil arrived just now" she said marking me in.
"Thankyou", I said to which she smiled.
"Had your breakfast?" She asked.
"Nope"
"Ah, breakfast-" she began.
"Is the most important meal of the day, I know. You've told me every time" I said finishing her sentence.
"Then why don't you have it?" She said pouting.
"Maybe I like when beautiful women worry about me?" I said to which she laughed.
"I worry about the poor girl that would fall for you" she said with a sigh showing me envelopes.
I had been receiving letters daily, a lot of letters.
"I'll tell cafeteria to cook something up for you" she said putting those envelopes in a drawer.
"Thanks" I said running towards the tactical room.
(Pov end)
(Matt's Agent- Pini Zahavi's POV)
27/09/2008
It was my first time watching him play live, and I didn't expected so many Delevigne jersey in the crowd, people were in hundreds wearing number 10.
The boy was becoming famous day by day, he was a good looking lad, and a even better player.
His acting portfolio also helped, there were already many brands that had contacted me to know about his details.
Today would be the day though, if he performs today his evaluation would double, he would go beyond 30 Mil, and given his young age, heh mendes would be fuming right now.
Real Madrid had emailed me about a potential loan or transfer. Potential. They want him to act second to Ronaldo, serve him Assists.
They had yet to sign the Portuguese, but knowing Mendes for years, he won't let the boy stay at United, and I'm sure Matt was affecting his evaluation negatively.
That Wilshere kid too, both of them have dropped his value by atleast 5 million, but Madrid's got shit ton of money.
Knowing the boy though, he won't do it for 120 million.
My hands were a little sweaty, the crowd was chanting his name, the pressure on the boy to perform was immense today.
The critics and football pundits would not have it today, tearing him down for each mistake, I can already see that.
First, in my years of watching and experiencing football, there's no way Everton wins this.
The gaps too big, even if Bobby himself played for Everton... They might win actually, if sir Bobby Charlton played that is.
It was time, the players walking out of the tunnel and announcer began introducing players.
They formed a line, Matt stood his hands on his mascots shoulder.
"And Number 10, Matthew Delevigne!" Said the announcer.
"Wohhhh"
There was a roar from the Everton crowd, they clapped and shouted his name, I could see his smile widen on the big screen making me sigh.
The kid loved it, he was an attention whore, he's been going out and meeting people on the streets of Everton daily.
The introduction continued, even Gerrard didn't receive any applause, except for the little Liverpool section, Everton fans wanted blood today.
It's good though, he didn't appear nervous, I was a little worried about that.
"And Mendes want him to give up all this" I said out loud to myself watching him be the star of Everton.
I don't think he'll go even if perez calls him personally to take him to Madrid.
"It's starting", the players lined up to their positions, Matt stood in front of Arteta, his stance was a little weird.
He stood diagonal to corner, it's almost as if-
My mouth hung open, as the referee whistle, Arteta moved back and Matt whiped the ball with his right foot without even looking at the goal.
Liverpool players looked shocked, everyone followed the ball, Everton's supporters who were chanting stopped for a second.
(Pov end)
(Third person pov)
There was silence in the room filled with people, everyone had a mic in hand just stared at the screen.
"It's the goal from the dreams! The fastest goal in the premier league history! The youngest to score in the Merseyside Derby!" Exclaimed Phil Munns, the first one to realise his job.
Behind him a big BBC Radio, many employees could be seen walking around through the transperant glass walls of the studio booth.
"How many records he broke this time, look at him! Shushing the Liverpool crowd with his celebration, kids got attitude" said Alan Stubbs laughing, he adjusted his seating in those uncomfortable studio chairs.
"Liverpool players are not liking the celebration, Carraghar grabbed Delevigne's collar, players pushing eachother, it's been 1 minute of gameplay!" Said Mike Hughes.
On the field Matt looked at fuming Jamie Carraghar with a smile, the later shouting profanities while being stopped by his teammates.
'I can barely understand what he's saying, scouse accent is strong in that one' thought Matt.
His gamble had paid off.
"Next time tell me before you give me a heart attack" said Phil ruffling his hair.
"Aye aye captain" said Matt with a smile, the entire pressure that had been weighing down on them got lifted.
He glanced at Torres and Gerrard who remained quiet calm and sighed.
'These demons still breathing down my neck' he thought clicking his tongue, he knows the threat these two possessed.
As the players lined up again, the crowd began singing,
"Delevigne, Delevigne,
Shove it up the red shte's arse again!
With every touch, you fucking thrill,
Score the goals, the blues to kill!"
Waving scarfs and shirts they sang, Matt looked a little embarassed but focused on the game, he looked t Gerrard, and Torres position, and got ready for possible interceptions.
"The atmosphere in Goodison Park, they're chanting some creative chants" said Alan looking at Mike Hughes back in BBC studio.
"Fans and their geniuses, though Southampton is unmatched at chants, Everton is not far back" said Mike.
"What do you guys think about the goal?" Asked Phil Munns.
"That it's beautiful, brilliant, magnificent, and I ran out of words" said Mike.
"We've seen him scoring long range shots in previous games. He scored a 30 yards volley against Portsmouth. But this, against Liverpool might be goal of the season" said Alan Stubbs.
"This is the battle between two artists, Torres vs Delevigne" said Phil.
"Hey, shouldn't it be Gerrard vs Delevigne? They play the same position" asked Mike.
"Their play style is lot different, Delevigne is more of a second striker, long range. Gerrard is more traditional midfielder." Said Phil.
"I want to see how Xavi Alonso would perform, he looked little rattled by Delevigne's first goal, and his play style is more similar to Everton's star" continued Phil.
"Hmm, Alonso's long range player, his passes create threats. Lets see how Everton stops them" said Mike again looking at the screen.
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BBC Radio Merseyside: Phil Munns (presenter), Mike Hughes, Alan Stubbs, Craig Hignett (co-commentators)
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