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SANTA CLARA. — Peyton Manning cemented his place in the pantheon of quarterback greats as the Denver Broncos produced a magnificent defensive display to stun the Carolina Panthers with an upset 24-10 victory in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.

Manning (39) sealed the second Super Bowl title of his 18-year National Football League career on the back of a phenomenal display by the Denver defence, who racked up a record-equalling seven sacks at Levi’s Stadium.

“I’m just glad we didn’t have to play against our defence,” said a delighted Manning, the NFL’s all-time passing yards record holder.

Denver running back CJ Anderson crashed over for the decisive touchdown late in the fourth quarter as the Broncos defence harried Panthers superstar quarterback Cam Newton into a string of mistakes on a night of high drama.

The much-anticipated duel between Manning — the oldest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history — and NFL Most Valuable Player Newton never materialized.

Instead it was left to Denver’s suffocating defence to decide the contest, with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware smothering the Panthers at every opportunity.

Panthers superstar Newton, who had been tipped to dominate in his first Super Bowl appearance, cut a dejected figure afterwards.

“They just played better than us,” Newton said. “I don’t know what you want me to say . . . we got outplayed.” — AFP.