Super Bowl 51 live: New England Patriots win their fifth title after record breaking comeback against the Atlanta Falcons
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The New England Patriots fought back from a half time deficit of 23-3 to defeat the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL’s annual showpiece event at the NRG Stadium tonight, in front of a capacity crowd.
The Falcons were are out to secure the first Super Bowl title of their history against New England, who had tasted victory four times ahead of Sunday's clash.
Houston was the setting, and what would follow will go down in history as one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.
Relive all of the action from Standard Sport's live blog below...
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THE TEAMS
OFFENSE
Tom Brady (QB) Three-time Super Bowl MVP chasing fifth Super Bowl ring.
LeGarrette Blount (RB) Power runner most dangerous near the end zone.
Julian Edelman (WR) Sure hands make him one of Brady’s go-to guys..
Chris Hogan (WR) Nine catches, 180 yards and two TDs in AFC Championship game.
Malcolm Mitchell (WR) 32 receptions and scored four times during season.
Martellus Bennett (TE) With Rob Gronkowski sidelined, this man’s a key player.
Nate Solder (LT) Back stronger than ever from injury this season.
Joe Thuney (LG) Another star rookie this term.
David Andrews (C) Not the biggest but uses leverage and strength.
Shaq Mason (RG) A strong rookie in the run game.
Marcus Cannon (RT) Versatile, can play at centre and guard.
DEFENSE
Chris Long (DE) Strong performer who can stop run and rush passer.
Alan Branch (DT) Ties up blockers so others can make tackles.
Malcom Brown (DT) Has four sacks this season.
Trey Flowers (DE) Team’s best pass rusher. Seven sacks and involved in 45 tackles.
Jabaal Sheard, (DE) 13 sacks in two seasons at New England.
Shea McLellin (LB) Good at getting to the QB.
Dont’a Hightower (LB) Part of 65 tackles this season with two sacks.
Rob Ninkovich (LB) Either lined up at end or LB, makes plays.
Kyle Van Noy (LB) Moves well and finds the ball.
Logan Ryan (CB) Has 14 picks and been involved in 92 tackles this season.
Malcolm Butler (CB) Super Bowl hero with interception of Seattle QB Russell Wilson to clinch title two years ago.
Eric Rowe (CB) Intercepted Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in the AFC Championship game.
Devin McCourty (S) Former cornerback who found a new niche at safety. Good tackler
Patrick Chung (S) Hard-hitting tackler.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Stephen Gostkowski (K) Makes critical kicks. 27 of 32 field goals.
Ryan Allen (P) Consistent kicker.
Dion Lewis (KR) Ran back a 98-yard TD return vs. Houston.
Danny Amendola (PR) A wideout who is also a sure-handed returner.
The Atlanta Falcons
OFFENSE
Matt Ryan (QB) Leading NFL in passer rating (117.1) with 38 touchdowns.
Devonta Freeman (RB) Rushed for 1,000-plus yards and 11 TDs for second straight season.
Tevin Coleman (RB) Eight rushing TDs in 2016 and three as receiver. Two post-season touchdowns.
Julio Jones (WR) Nine receptions for 180 yards and two TDs in NFC title game.
Mohamed Sanu (WR) 59 receptions, four TDs during season, added two TD catches in post-season.
Taylor Gabriel (WR) Scored six TDs during season.
Austin Hooper (TE) Didn’t catch single pass in four games this season.
Jake Matthews (LT) Will need to stand strong against New England’s pass rushers.
Andy Levitre, (LG) Has never missed a start in his eight seasons.
Alex Mack (C) One of the top centres in the NFL is carrying an ankle knock but its not expected to hamper him.
Chris Chester (RG) A reliable starter who has played every game since 2011.
Ryan Schraeder (RT) Few defenders get under him.
DEFENSE
Brooks Reed (DE) Has six play-off sacks.
Jonathan Babineaux (DT) Longest serving current Falcon who has appeared in 185 games.
Grady Jarrett (DT) Capable of penetrating into backfield.
Tyson Jackson (DE) Solid when asked to do a job.
Vic Beasley Jr (LB) Had 15 sacks to top NFL.
Deion Jones (LB) One of the top rookies this season and featured in 106 tackles.
De’Vondre Campbell (LB) Recovered from ankle injury and one of four rookie starters on the defense.
Robert Alford (CB) Must find extra aggression on coverage.
Jalen Collins (CB) Had a key forced fumble and recovery against Green Bay in the NFC Championship game.
Brian Poole (CB) Busy in post-season with 10 tackles.
Ricardo Allen (S) Consistent starter and good tackler with five picks early in his career.
Keanu Neale (S) Another impressive rookie who took part in 105 tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Matt Bryant (K) Led NFL in scoring with 158 points, 34 of 37 field goals including a 59-yarder.
Matt Bosher (P) Doesn’t always get punts high, leading to some returns.
Eric Weems (KR/PR) Ranked sixth in punt return average.
Huge throw from Tom Brady and it's seized by Danny Amendola before Chris Hogan gets the first down. James White takes the catch, but he's SACKED!
The Patriots are over the line, but it's been pulled back. No joy. Bosher to punt, and it's missiled some 50 yards or so.
Freeman makes it all the way to 47yard line! A gain of 30 yards. He BOOMED his way through the field there. It was like the Devonta 500 just then!
Atlanta get a return of ten after Allen boots it long, but there's a holding penalty, and the Falcons have been pushed back here. 1st & 10.
And it's ATLANTA who will kick off tonight! Bosher to take it! The Falcons at first and ten here.
Former US President George Bush Snr and his wife Barbara - Houston natives of course - will conduct the pre-match coin toss.
The US national anthem is echoing around Houston's NRG stadium right now, as Luke Brian bellows out the Star-Spangled Banner as the planes rocket across the sky. Epic!
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