The Latest Football News and Opinions From 90 Minutes Online
The curious and ultimately tragic case of Laurie Cunningham
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Written by James Carr
Laurie Cunningham’s name may not ring a bell but it should do. He was the first black footballer to wear an England shirt, the first black player to represent his country in a competitive international and the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid.
The son of a Jamaican racehorse jockey, Cunningham’s career began at Leyton Orient where he made a name for himself as an electric left-winger. Small, strong and with bags of pace, he could beat a man with ease and was a natural goalscorer.
Dutch Eredivisie: AZ Alkmaar and FC Twente cannot be beaten!
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Written by Darren Douglas
Now a reminder from the liberal-minded Netherlands, where the Eredivisie has continued much along the same course as it has for the last few months. AZ Alkmaar continue to notch up victory after victory and Steve McClaren has kept his team FCTwente on the top of the chasing pack in second. The gap between the teams has remained constant though, there is no turn of events that can deny Louis van Gaal from leading AZ to their second Eredivisie and glory. Nine points buffers the champions elect from FCTwente and only four games remain of the season.
Villareal lose 4th spot & Marcos Senna, Barca win but fail to shake off Madrid
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Written by Benjamin Cullen
A last gasp goal in a five-goal thriller in Gijon, Northern Spain, sent a side who three weeks ago looked deadmen walking - soaring back into fourth place and Champions league contention. A win which could prove to be debt ridden Valencia's salvation.
A magnificent run and finish from Silva put Valencia ahead early on against Sporting, but then a penalty kick from Barral levelled matters soon after. Eventual match winner Mata then won his side a penalty which David Villa tucked away to put Valencia ahead again in the 56th minute, only for Bilic to head Sporting level again just a quarter of an hour later. Time was ticking away and Valencia's big chance looked to be lost but with two minutes remaining Silva found Mata in the box to smash home an absolutely crucial winner.
In my opinion, one of the most overrated players in the Premiership is Richard Dunne. The guy is the master of the schoolboy error and is practically guaranteed to provide the opposition with one golden opportunity over the course of 90 minutes. His rather vacant eyes display the intelligence levels that lead him to repeatedly make rash decisions and if his simple, pudgy countenance was topped off with a scraggly bowl-cut then he would make the perfect village idiot for that long awaited Willow sequel.
He has the most Premier League own goals (tied with Jamie Carragher on 6) and the most Premiership red cards, clocking in with 9. Dunne’s most famous red was when he hauled down Tuncay in last season’s encounter at the Riverside. In a tribute to the hapless Irish centre-back, the City team that day all tried to emulate his skill level and as a consequence, Boro stuffed them 8-1.