Abstract: An articular cartilage repair piece and methods of forming and using same to substitute for a cut-out piece of damaged articular cartilage on a bone in an articulated joint in a mammal. The repair piece includes a backing layer of non-woven, felted fibrous material which is conformable to flat and curved surfaces. The front face of the backing layer is either uncoated or covered by a coating of tough pliable material having front surface which is tough, smooth and slippery in the presence of the natural synovial fluid of the joint and responds naturally as the repair site interfaces with underlying meniscus cartilage or articular cartilage of an opposing surface through articulating motion in the joint of a patient.