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Express Sport brings you live updates from Super Bowl LII
Super Bowl 2018 LIVE
This match promises to be everything neutral fans will be hoping for. There are many storylines attached to this game but none more so than it being a re-match from the Super Bowl XXXIX.
The Eagles were left broken-hearted back then by a young Tom Brady-led Patriots side and the 2017 NFL MVP winner is aiming to lift his sixth Vince Lombardi trophy this evening.
For the Eagles, they will be looking for revenge from the defeat in 2005 and their first ever title.
Nick Foles has stepped up admirably in the absence of Carson Wentz at quarterback and Philadelphia have embraced their ‘underdogs’ tag in the postseason.
New England are the heavy favourites heading into the match but as Super Bowls in years gone by have proven, not everything goes according to the script.
Express Sport takes you through the evening to bring you live scores and updates from tonight’s game.
First quarter:
– Jeffrey touchdown hands Eagles 9-3 lead following incredible 35-yard throw from Foles.
Second quarter:
– Blount grabbed the Eagles’ second touchdown of the game with a brilliant dinking run between the Patriots defence to put Philadelphia up 15-3.
– But James White repeats the feat with a 90-yard drive for the Patriots to bring New England to within three on 2:04.
– Nick Foles with a sensational touchdown towards the end of the half to put Philadelphia up 22-12.
Eagles 22-19 Patriots 3rd quarter 12:19
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS! Brady answers instantly. The three-time NFL MVP connects with Gronkowksi for four drives on the first play and the final one is in the end-zone.
Almost looked to easy for New England and Philadelphia were sleeping.
And Gostkowski clearly had a chance to either change his boots or Bill Belichick had some stern words for him at half-time because he clears the posts for the extra point. It’s a three-point game.
Eagles 22-12 Patriots 3rd quarter
We’re back underway for the third quarter. Is another Patriots comeback on the cards here?
This Eagles side have shown grit and invention in the first half but after last year literally anything can happen. Tom Brady, it’s over to you.
HALF-TIME SHOW
Michael Ham gives his take on the half-time show
So, the half-time show is in the books for another year and the teams have made their way back out for the second half. Are we in for more high-scoring offence, or will the nerves begin to kick in? Only time will tell.
Patriots will get the ball to start the second half as the fans inside US Bank Stadium are encouraged to “make some noise”.
It’s time for the main event… for some people. The lights have dimmed and Justin Timberlake has taken to the stage.
Just seen a picture of the food and beverage prices at the Super Bowl and by far the best thing on there is a 1LB lamb bucket for $22. Who in their right mind is that desperate for a pile of lamb?
Michael Ham in Minneapolis
That’s the end of a thrilling first half here in Minnesota. Philly lead 22-12 and New England look short on ideas of how to stop the Eagles. London-born Jay Ajayi has been a threat for Philadelphia, while Nick Foles has looked very comfortable.
Up next it’s the Pepsi half-time show featuring Justin Timberlake…..I’m off for a cup of coffee.
Eagles 22-12 Patriots 2nd quarter 00:34
TOUCHDOWN EAGLES! Clement! Wow! Sensational drive from the running back to put them inside New England 2.
The Patriots hold out for 2nd and 3rd & goal but Philadelphia opt against kicking and it couldn’t have played out better.
Doug Peterson with one of the plays of Super Bowl history as Foles catches a touchdown pass from a truly incredible play. Sensational.
Eagles 15-12 Patriots 2nd quarter 2:04
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS! Tom Brady lays off to James White who just dances through the Eagles defence for a 90-yard touchdown.
But Gostkowski with another terrible kick. It’s not been a good day for the kickers today and Gostkowski is not feeling it with the boot.
Eagles 15-6 Patriots 2nd quarter: 5:14
INTERCEPTED! Jay Ajayi makes a big play for the Eagles and puts Philadelphia in a promising position.
But on the next play Foles’ pass is intercepted by Duron Harmon just in front of the end-zone.
Michael Ham in Minneapolis giving the people what they want
Bill Belichick is rolling the dice early here, going for it on 4th down after missing a trick play where Brady turned into a receiver. Could that come back to hurt them?
J-Lo has been up on the big screen as well, but didn’t get as big a cheer as Jimmy Fallon.
More celeb spotting from the cameraman here after the Eagles touchdown. Baseball player Mike Trout and NBA star Steph Curry are both in attendance tonight.
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LeGarrette Blount runs in to get Philadelphia’s second touchdown
Eagles 15-6 Patriots 2nd quarter: 7:24
Bulkhead gains 46 to put the Patriots up the field but fall into a third down instantly.
Gostkowski comes in to attempt a field goal and this time is good to take New England within 10.
Eagles 15-3 Patriots 2nd quarter: 8:48
TOUCHDOWN EAGLES! The Patriots defence just opens up for Blount and he takes the invitation.
Philadelphia try and make up for the missed point by going for the two-point conversion but Foles’ pass to Jeffery in not successful.
Eagles 9-3 Patriots 2nd quarter: 11:58
Brady in unknown territory. He smoothly lays off the ball and casually runs out wide and Amendola attempts to lob a pass to him, but he can’t hold it.
News coming in also that Brandin Cooks will not return to the game. Huge blow for the Patriots.
Eagles 9-3 Patriots 2nd quarter: 12:59
Cooks gets clobbered! Patriots wide receiver is up and walking but he takes a nasty hit from Malcolm Jenkins and is helped off the field.
Eagles 9-3 Patriots 2nd quarter: 13:30
Michael Ham in Minneapolis
Jimmy Fallon got a big laugh on the big screen by throwing water over himself – but it was only the Eagles fans laughing a moment later. Stephen Gostkowski’s field goal smacks the left-hand upright and bounces back after a poor snap and hold.
Eagles 9-3 Patriots 1st quarter: 2:34
TOUCHDOWN EAGLES! Foles sends an unbelievable 35-yard pass into the end zone with Jeffrey leaping over Rowe to catch and hold on to it for the first TD of the game.
Michael Ham in Minneapolis
Huge noise from the Philly fans when the Patriots took the field. Silenced almost immediately by the precision, timing and speed of Brady’s offence. But the Pats settle for three.
Loudest noise from both sets of fans so far has come in the timeouts between each team having the ball.
On the screen at the end of the field we’ve had a Rocky montage and another promo from injured Pats star Julian Edelman to get the fans in the mood.
NBC
Brandin Cooks gets clobbered by Malcom Jenkins
Eagles 3-3 Patriots 1st quarter: 4:17
Patriots now in a carbon copy situation to what Eagles had on their opening drive. 3rd and down… Mills with the block on Brady’s pass.
Gostkowski kicks over to level the scores. A game of cat and mouse so far!
Eagles 3-0 Patriots 1st quarter: 6:05
Brady now on the field with Patriots’ offensive starters and New England are inside the 20. 1st & 10
Michael Ham in Minneapolis
After Philly scored on their opening drive, we have been introduced to the 2018 Class for football’s Hall of Fame, who were elected yesterday.
Patriots ball now, where Tom Brady & Co will go to work from the 25-yard line.
Eagles 3-0 Patriots 1st quarter: 8:00
Rowe gets the stop for the Patriots!
Eagles into the red zone but Rowe intercepts Foles’ pass forcing a field goal from Jake Elliott, who makes no mistake from 25 yards.
Eagles 0-0 Patriots 1st quarter: 12:00
Eagles off to a strong start here, another first down.
Clement makes a big gain for the 2nd & goal.
GENTING BET
The Eagles stats that say they can cause an upset against New England
Eagles 0-0 Patriots 1st quarter: 12:00
Eagles off to a strong start here, another first down.
Clement makes a big gain for the 2nd & goal.
23:30: WE’RE OFF! New England Patriots get the game started
MICHAEL HAM in Minneapolis
Well, both teams have made their way on to the field. Now just a few introductions, the flyover and the national anthem to come. Kick-off just over 10 minutes away.
The US Bank Stadium is packed to the rafters, with the sun streaming in from the windows on my left. A small section of fans in the upper deck away to my right will hope it disappears quickly!
The US national anthem performed by Pink there, perfectly respected by both teams. Not a protest a sight. We’re now just a coin-flip away from the start of Super Bowl LII here in Minnesota.
Almost there
23:15: We’re just minutes away from kick-off here and the teams have been officially introduced to the crowd.
And it’s clear who the majority of the crowd want to win.
Philadelphia get a rousing reception as they make their way to the field and the Patriots are roundly booed. If the Eagles get the first touchdown that place could be rocking.
Tom Brady throwing hand?
23:10: Tom Brady was not sure last week what condition his throwing hand would be in for today’s Super Bowl but, from first glance, he looks in good nick.
He wore a strip of tape throughout the AFC Championship Game after cutting his hand prior to the game against the Jaguars.
He required 12 stitches in his hand, but in the pre-game warm-ups tonight he wasn’t wearing any protective tape on his right hand.
23:00: We have Michael Ham out in Minneapolis for tonight’s match and by the sounds of it lets hope he is wrapped up!
TWITTER
Donald Trump says “we proudly stand for our national anthem”
MICHAEL HAM in Minneapolis
Well, it’s a beautiful but FREEZING cold day here in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The temperature outside is -16C with not a cloud in the sky.
I’ve battled my way through the seemingly endless security checks, am inside the US Bank Stadium and in my seat with what will be a great view of the game from the press box.
Although there are no clouds in the sky, there is some snow, with huge blocks of it still on top of the reinforced but see-through parts of the roof from yesterday’s blizzard.
There are far more Philadelphia Eagles fans in the stadium so far and they are in GREAT voice too, with chants of ‘E, A, G, L, E, S, EAGLES!’ echoing around the stadium here every couple of minutes or so.
And despite this being an indoor stadium, we’ve been informed there will still by a flyover from the US military before kick-off.
Donald Trump has spoken
22:45: US president Donald Trump has issued a statement reinstating the White House’s stance against NFL players protesting against police brutality and racial injustice.
Trump caused uproar up and down the league earlier in the regular season, suggesting players should be “fired” for kneeling during the national anthem.
“Though many of our nation’s service members are unable to be home with family and friends to enjoy this evening’s American tradition, they are always in our thoughts and prayers,” Trump’s statement read.
“We owe these heroes the greatest respect for defending our liberty and our American way of life. Their sacrifice is stitched into each star and every stripe of our Star-Spangled Banner. We hold them in our hearts and thank them for our freedom as we proudly stand for the national anthem.”
BETTINGEXPERT
Tom Brady ranked alongside some of the modern day sports greats
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Will New England Patriots fans be celebrating come the end of the game?
How to watch Super Bowl LII
22:30: You’ve got the food, got the drinks ready; now you just need to know what channel to watch the Super Bowl on.
For NFL fans staying up late in the UK you have a choice of three channels to catch the action.
BBC One will be airing the game live from 11.15pm with commentary from Mark Chapman, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell.
But for those wanting to get started early, you can turn to Sky Sports Action with the coverage starting from 10pm and will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event from 11pm.
IT’S HERE
22:15: After a pulsating postseason which saw some historic moments including the ‘Miracle in Minneapolis’ and the Titans’ comeback against Kansas City among others, we finally have our final two teams fighting it out for the Vince Lombardi trophy.
New England against Philadelphia immediately draws NFL fans back to Super Bowl XXXIX which proved to be a thrilling encounter. Terrell Owens returned from a broken leg to put in an inspired performance for the Eagles, catching nine passes for 122 yards.
But the Eagles were unable to fight back from 24-14 down, eventually losing 24-21.
The Patriots were strong favourites heading into that match and led by Tom Brady, swiftly after being named the 2017 NFL MVP, they are odds-on to win a record-equalling sixth Super Bowl.
Find out everything you need to know on how to watch the action live here