New York Giants beat San Francisco 49ers in overtime

Two turnovers by San Francisco 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams helped set up a Super Bowl rematch between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Two huge mistakes by Williams led to a 20-17 overtime victory for New York in a game played in driving rain. With the 49ers leading 14-10 in the fourth quarter Williams tried to avoid a New York punt, but accidentally touched the ball before it was recovered by the Giants . New York capitalised on the lapse and scored a Mario Manningham touchdown to take the lead. San Francisco scored a field goal to force overtime, but then came Williams' second blunder as he fumbled another punt to give New York field position for a game-winning kick . Lawrence Tynes scored the 31-yard field goal to seal the victory. The Giants will now meet the Patriots in the 46th Super Bowl on 5 February in Indianapolis. The game will be a repeat of the NFL title game four years ago when the Patriots came within minutes of recording a perfect season but were pipped at the last by the Giants who took the Vince Lombardi trophy. The Giants only reached the playoffs after winning the regular season finale three weeks ago. Four years ago the Giants reached the playoffs as a wildcard. For much of a wet and windy afternoon in Candlestick Park, the 49ers held a close lead, particularly after a strong start when quarterback Alex Smith connected with tight end Vernon Davis for a 73-yard touchdown . The Giants levelled the score when Eli Manning hit fullback Bear Pascoe with a short pass to the right for a touchdown to cap a 10-play drive over 69 yards. The Giants went 10-7 ahead just before half-time when Tynes kicked a 31-yard field goal. The 49ers took the lead back when Smith again threw to Davis for a 28-yard touchdown in the left corner for a 14-10 lead. San Francisco carried that lead into the final quarter and stayed in control with their bruising defense before the fumble by Williams, hit on his knee by the bouncing ball after a Giants punt, led to a turnover. New York took advantage as Manning found wide receiver Mario Manningham for the first time in the game for a 17-yard touchdown. A 25-yard field goal by 49ers kicker David Akers levelled the score at 17-17 with 5:43 left before the game spilled into sudden-death overtime.