Still the greatest show on Earth

Whether or not Beyonce’s elaborate half-time show caused the subsequent power outage in New Orleans’ Superdome on Sunday night, the Baltimore Ravens’ second Super Bowl title was achieved in an electrifying manner that confirms this current era as a golden one for the sport.

For the sixth year in a row the increasingly popular NFL has been decided in thrilling circumstances — but for most of the first half the San Francisco 49ers appeared to have crumbled on the biggest stage.

But Jim Harbaugh’s talented San Francisco side turned it around after half of the arena’s lights mysteriously shut down for 34 minutes, their comeback from 28-6 down allowing the 49ers to stage a late rally that failed in controversial circumstances as the Ravens ultimately held on to win 34-31.