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The third title in four years for Bill Belichick's team owed much to the arm of quarterback Tom Brady and the safe hands of MVP receiver Deion Branch.

But the defence also had to work hard to deny a spirited Eagles challenge.

Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens pulled the underdogs into contention, but got little help from their running backs.

Super Bowl Sunday had started well for the Eagles, when Owens was passed fit to play against the odds.

And the star receiver caused the Patriots plenty of problems throughout, making big plays for 122 yards, demanding close coverage and freeing up his team-mates.

My team have played great all year and have been at their best in the big games Bill Belichick New England coach

After a defence-dominated and scoreless first quarter, the underdogs made the breakthrough with McNabb picking out LJ Smith to round off a strong drive.

New England threatened to bounce straight back, before Brady fluffed his lines in the red zone, uncharacteristically fumbling the ball on a play-action fake to concede possession.

The quarterback, who completed 22 of 33 passes for 236 yards, soon redeemed himself by finding David Givens open for a touchdown.

New England struck first and early in the second half, Brady lofting a pass into the endzone where Mike Vrabel did well to cling on at the second try.

It was the defensive linebacker's second touchdown in as many Super Bowls and it looked to have hurt the Eagles.

What a game, what opponents - we didn't have a first down in the first quarter, but then Deion Branch made some big plays Tom Brady New England quarterback

But Philadelphia rallied behind McNabb, who used Owens as a decoy - as well as a target - to move the football.

McNabb drove within range and then connected with Brian Westbrook for a touchdown to level the scores.

The Eagles' joy was short-lived.

Having established a running game, Brady mixed things up, alternately punching holes in the Philadelphia defence with his running backs and going to his receivers in the air.

It was only fitting that the tireless Corey Dillon ran in his side's third touchdown from two yards.

His 75 yards on the ground perfectly complemented Branch's record-equalling 11 receptions for 133 yards.

When reliable kicker Adam Vinatieri opened up the first 10-point gap of the game with an assured field goal, the Patriots looked safe.

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But McNabb - who completed 29 of 48 throws for 356 yards - set up a nail-biting finale by launching a sublime 30-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis with two minutes left.

His specials team immediately tried an onside kick, which New England safely gathered.

And although the Patriots were forced into giving McNabb a last shot at saving the game, his magic finally ran out as did the clock on Philadelphia's Super Bowl hopes for another year.