JACKSONVILLE, Florida, Feb 6 (AFP) - Tom Brady worked his usual late-game magic, and the New England Patriots secured a place among American football’s greatest dynasties here Sunday by edging Philadelphia 24-21 in the Super Bowl.

The Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years, matching the Dallas Cowboys as the only clubs to achieve the feat, and won their ninth consecutive playoff game, the longest such win streak in National Football League history.

"I can’t say enough about the heart of this team," Brady said. "To think you can repeat as Super Bowl champs... we’re damn happy."

Brady, who guided last-minute scoring drives to win Super Bowl crowns in 2002 and 2004, sparked two decisive fourth-quarter scoring drives while New England’s defence forced four turnovers and thwarted an Eagles comeback bid.

"I have all the respect in the world for them," Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest said. "But we were not going to be denied."

New England’s Deion Branch matched a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions and finished with 133 yards to claim Most Valuable Player honors, a reward that had gone to Brady in the Patriots’ past two title triumphs.

"He was huge in this game," Brady said. "He did some big things after he caught the ball. He’s a dynamite player. He can do it all."

The Eagles, making their first Super Bowl appearance in 24 years, failed in a bid for their first NFL crown since 1960 and their city’s first title in any major team sport since 1983.

"We stayed aggressive and played close. We just weren’t able to pull it out," Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "You can put your head down after something like this. I won’t do that. We’ll be back."

Brady guided New England 66 yards in nine plays and Corey Dillon scored on a two-yard run with 13:44 remaining to break a 14-14 deadlock.

New England’s defence then forced an Eagles punt that led to Adam Vinatieri’s 22-yard field goal, giving the Patriots a 24-14 edge with 8:40 remaining.

McNabb was intercepted by Tedy Bruschi to halt one drive but rallied the Eagles once more, connecting with Greg Lewis on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 1:48 remaining that lifted Philadelphia within the final margin.

The Eagles regained the ball on their 4-yard line with 46 seconds to play, but Rodney Harrison picked off McNabb’s desperation pass to clinch the victory.

"I was really nervous back there when Donovan had the ball. Fortunately I was able to make the catch," Harrison said. "Any time you get turnovers it’s huge. We pride ourselves on getting our hands on the ball.

"We fought our tails off to get that victory. The guys stepped up. This is unbelievable. I’m so happy."

Brady completed 23-of-33 throws for 236 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, bouncing back after a lackluster first half that ended 7-7.

"They gave us everything we could handle in the first half but we made a few nice plays and the defense really stepped up," Brady said. "That was a great play by Rodney to end it."

McNabb completed 30-of-51 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted three times.

"Turnovers kill you, and they hurt us," McNabb said. "I have to take better care of the ball."

Philadelphia’s Terrell Owens, playing against doctor’s advice after hurting his right ankle six weeks ago, caught nine passes for 122 yards.

"A lot of people believed I couldn’t play, but my faith carried me all the way," Owens said. "We’ll be back. We will be back on this stage."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick improved his playoff record to 10-1, the best in NFL history, moving past Green Bay legend Vince Lombardi, for whom the Super Bowl championship trophy is named.

"Each one is special. They are all up there," Belichick said of his Super Bowl runs. "There is such a special feeling for this team."

Brady threw a four-yard touchdown pass to David Givens with 70 seconds to play in the second quarter that pulled New England level at half-time and hit Mike Vrabel on a two-yard touchdown play early in the third quarter.

Brady connected with Branch four times for 71 yards in the second-half scoring drive.

"We did a great job adjusting to some things," Branch said. "This is the biggest game in the world. All you can do is take what they give you and we did a good job of that during the game."

Givens and Vrabel, a linebacker who switched from offence to defence on the scoring play, each flapped his arms after their touchdown receptions, mocking the typical Eagles’ end zone celebration.

"We knew what to expected and we executed when the game got close," Vrabel said. "We fought hard and kept our poise throughout."

McNabb threw a six-yard touchdown pass to L.J. Smith with 9:55 to play in the second quarter and a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brian Westbrook with 4:176 remaining in the third quarter. But turnovers proved too much to overcome.

"You can’t turn the football over. There were some things we had to do that we didn’t do," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "These guys got a taste of it and they are going to want to come back."

AFP