Manning stays coolest in Super Bowl cauldron

By Steve Ginsburg

GLENDALE, Arizona (Reuters) - Much-maligned New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning silenced his critics with his last-gasp heroics in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Manning threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter to lead the Giants to a shock 17-14 victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots on Sunday.

"He played super," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "He did things in the second half, the fourth quarter that you have to do to win the Super Bowl.

"He brought us down the field, he got the ball in the end zone twice... He played very, very well and very cool, very calm."

Eli was sharply criticised by the tough New York newspapers this season for his inconsistent performances and what some believe is a lack of leadership skills.

But Manning came alive during the post-season, leading New York to four straight victories on the road.

Many expected Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to be the one with the cool fourth-quarter performance but it was the easy-going Manning whose display will be remembered for years.

The 27-year-old Manning suffers from comparisons with his older brother Peyton. Eli is the younger brother of the Indianapolis Colts quarterback, widely considered to be the best signal-caller in the game.