Eli takes another giant step to prove his elite class

Back in August, back before the season began, Eli Manning was asked whether he considered himself an “elite” quarterback a la Tom Brady.

Manning replied simply that he belonged “in that class”. He was questioned and criticised for that, and it all became quite a big deal in New York. Hard to imagine anyone arguing about his status now.

Perfect at the beginning, cool and calm on a closing drive to the go-ahead touchdown, Manning won his second NFL championship in a four-year span — and second Super Bowl MVP award, too — for steering the New York Giants to a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday night.