New York Giants claim Superbowl crown

The New York Giants won the American football Super Bowl in a dramatic comeback victory that denied their opponents, the New England Patriots, a place in the sporting history books.

New England had gone into yesterday’s Arizona showpiece hoping to complete an unbeaten season and stake a claim to be the greatest side in the history of the sport.

However, the underdogs from New York shattered the Patriots with a 17-14 victory as quarterback Eli Manning found Plaxico Burress with a touchdown pass with 35 seconds left.

That play had followed a spectacular leaping catch by David Tyree who had held on to the ball under fierce pressure from the Patriots’ defence to keep possession for his side where a fumble would have effectively handed victory to New England.

It was the Giants’ 11th straight victory on the road and the first time the Patriots tasted defeat in more than a year.

“It’s the greatest feeling in professional sports,” Burress said before bursting into tears.

Among the winners for the Giants was kicker Lawrence Tynes, born in Greenock, Scotland.

Alicia Keys performed before the kick-off while Tom Petty starred in the half-time show.

Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, a New York senator, was quick to capitalise on the Giants win.

Two days ahead of Super Tuesday’s primary elections which could see her tighten her grip on her party’s nomination for the White House, Mrs Clinton said: “Super Bowl, Super Tuesday, we’ve got one down, let’s get the other.”