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Live Super Bowl 51: New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and the New England Patriots, led by future hall-of-famer Tom Brady, are facing Matt Ryan's incredible Atlanta Falcons. Follow live here for all the action.

And then there were two: Super Bowl 51 promises to be a cracker.
And then there were two: Super Bowl 51 promises to be a cracker. 

Recap

Well, that was intense. The Atlanta Falcons were unstoppable for large parts of that game, but as they faded in the fourth, Tom Brady, who was quiet until that point, stepped up and found touchdown after touchdown for the New England Patriots.

A huge defensive effort to keep the Falcons out of field goal range when they led by 8 points gave the Pats the distinct feeling they could win it, and a touchdown and two-point conversion sent the game to overtime.

The Patriots received first and marched up the field with Brady in scintillating form against the tired Falcons defence.

And it was all over too soon as James White barrelled over the line to send the Vince Lombardi trophy back to Boston.

That's all from me. Thanks for following along today for this epic. 

Until next time,

Jamie out

Brady named Super Bowl MVP

Could have gone to James White (and just as easily Matt Ryan), but Tom Brady is Super Bowl LI's Most Valuable Player.

The Tom Brady Revenge Tour is complete! He lifts the Vince Lombardi trophy for the fifth time.

He is now 39, but still as good as he was years back. Impressive (whether you like him or not).

I'm sorry to do this to you all ...

Goodell booed ... a lot

Roger Goodell hands the Vince Lombardi trophy to Robert Kraft, the owner of the Patriots.

But he could not be heard during the presentation, as he was roundly booed by every Pats fan in Houston.

 

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So if anyone doesn't know the backstory, Tom Brady was suspended for the first four games of this season for Deflategate. His suspension was not met with any enthusiasm in Boston, and as a result, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been public enemy number one.

Much has been discussed of Goodell handing the trophy to Brady and Belichick. For his part, Goodell has said nothing would make him happier (but colour me dubious ...)

In any case, dreams are now realities. Welcome to the post-match show.

Relive the winning touchdown

Tom Brady, to James White, to the end-zone, to history.

And some more memes for your viewing pleasure as we all try to catch our breath after that one.

The Patriots did not lead once during that game. Only when James White crashed over for the overtime touchdown did New England have the Falcons on the scoreboard.

Brady speaking to the media and says the Patriots team this year resembles "those teams of the past" (he has won four other Super Bowls).

... unleash the memes

 

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Bill Belichick and Tom Brady lift the Vince Lombardi trophy for the fifth time. That is unprecedented.

Brady collapses to the turf in a sea of cameras as he takes note of the achievement.

Scenes of pure elation in Houston for the Patriots.

Bit spare a thought for Matt Ryan and the Falcons. For three and a half quarters, they were the only team playing football. Yet when Brady got the Patriots moving, they found the sniff that they could win this.

As it happened, a Ryan sack would prove the difference. Had he stayed on his feet or got rid of the ball, the Falcons would have had a field goal attempt to put the game beyond doubt.

Patriots win!!!

Brady hands the ball to White and he barrels over the line. The New England Patriots win the Super Bowl!!

From over 20 points down, the Patriots have completed one of the greatest comebacks in Super Bowl history.

Incomplete

Falcons bat down the pass (and a potential intercept) to the groans of half the East coast.

Dropped

Brady throws to Bennett and he drops it over the line. Incomplete and he just dropped the Super Bowl.

But flag on the play for pass interference. 1st and goal.

First down

White takes a square pass and gets a first down.

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First down

Brady throws straight down the guts at 2nd and 13 and Edelman takes the catch. 

25-yards out here.

First down

Brady throws right and Amendola takes a great catch.

He backs it up with another big throw and Chris Hogan takes the reception.

It's 1st and 10 at the Falcons 40.

Pats receive the ball and will start from their 25-yard line after taking a knee from the kick.

Incredible finish here. The Pats had been written off by virtually everyone (myself included) yet somehow have comeback to tie the game.

And Matt Ryan's sack late in the quarter when the Falcons led 28-20, ending the chance at a field goal, has given New England hope.

So here we go. The encore begins.

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