Pundits and former players all backed the Patriots to win comfortably and achieve the unprecedented feat of a perfect NFL season of 19 consecutive wins. In honour of the Giants’ historic win, Hotlist presents five of the world’s most famous sporting shocks.

1964 – Cassius Clay vs Sonny Liston - Cassius Clay was a 7/1 underdog leading into his first fight with the feared world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. But he negated Liston’s power with the quick movement and lightning jabs. Liston quit on his stool at the end of the sixth round leaving Clay to celebrate and bellow “I shook up the world” at the ringside reporters who had written off his chances.

1988 –  FA Cup final - Wimbledon vs Liverpool - The ultimate FA Cup shock. Liverpool’s dominant team had cruised to the league title just weeks earlier. Wimbledon’s Crazy Gang were unfashionable and unfancied by fans and journalists alike. But a headed goal from Lawrie Sanchez gave them the lead and when Dave Beasant saved a penalty from Liverpool striker John Aldridge the game was up for the Reds.

1983 – Cricket World Cup final – West Indies vs India - Clive Lloyd’s dominant Windies team had crushed all opposition thanks to their barrage of four fast bowlers and the epic strokeplay of Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge. They reduced India to a paltry 184 all out only to suffer a batting collapse themselves in replay. Indian bowlers Madan Lal and Mohinder Armanath took 3 wickets as India surprisingly prevailed by 44 runs.
1974 – Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman - George Foreman was such an overwhelming favourite for the Rumble in the Jungle that Muhammad Ali’s cornermen feared for their fighter's life. But Ali negated Foreman’s brutality and power with the now-famous “rope a dope” tactic, leaning back on ropes and absorbing the champion’s best punches. By the eighth round, Foreman was exhausted and Ali seized his opportunity to knock out his opponent and record his most famous win.
1990 – World Cup Italia 90 – Cameroon vs Argentina - Diego Maradona’s team were defending World Cup champions and entered their opening World Cup 1990 fixture as massive favourites while opponents Cameroon were appearing in only their second ever World Cup. Cameroon took the lead thanks to a goal from Francois Omam-Biyik and, despite having a two players sent off, held on for a famous victory.