CARL JOHAN CALLEMAN » starting to wear them down,

LONDON -- For many observers, Arsenal needed to beat a major rival to prove its worthiness as a title contender in the English Premier League. The team responded with a thrilling performance and two superb individual goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey, beating Liverpool 2-0 and moving five points clear at the top of the table on Saturday. Cazorlas goal to open the scoring was a symbol of Arsenals determination and resolve to prove their critics wrong. Mikel Arteta released Bacary Sagna down the right in the 19th minute and the full backs excellent cross was headed firmly onto the post by Cazorla. The Spanish midfielder didnt give up, collecting the rebound and volleying into the upper left corner. Arsenal sealed the victory in the 59th when Ramsey received a clipped pass from Mesut Ozil, dribbled forward and patiently waited for the ball to bounce up in front of him before unleashing a thunderous shot that dipped over the outstretched hand of Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. "It was an important win for the team, for the club," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "I dont think anyone will dispute we deserved to win today." The match was a big test for Arsenal because critics believed the team moved to the league summit against relatively easy opposition. Liverpool was in second place going into the match and now sits third, behind Chelsea on an inferior goal difference. In their previous two home games, the Gunners faced strong opposition and lost both games -- to Borrussia Dortmund in the Champions League group stage and to Chelsea in the League Cup. After those defeats, some said Arsenal would wither against its main rivals like Liverpool. "We needed to respond today," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "It was important to convince people that you can win the big games and to do in a convincing fashion." Wenger was especially pleased with the clean sheet and how the team defended, shutting down the dangerous strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. "Our defensive performance was outstanding," he said. Arsenals league form has been stellar since losing the opening match to Aston Villa, with the London club winning eight and drawing one. Up until Cazorlas goal, the teams were engaged in a midfield battle and neither gained a foothold in front of 60,000 spectators at Emirates Stadium. Liverpool pressed high up the pitch, but Arsenal managed to stifle the visitors rhythm and was content to build from the back. Cazorlas goal invigorated Arsenal and the home team began to surge forward. The midfielder nearly scored a second but a flying save from Mignolet denied him. Sturridge had the only meaningful chance of the first half for the visitors, but his weak, 20-yard shot was easily caught by Wojciech Szczesny. But Liverpool started the second half brightly, with Suarez creating danger on several occasions. Liverpool had a chance for a late consolation goal, but Suarez chose to shoot across the face of goal instead of setting up strike partner Sturridge at the far post and the Uruguayans effort missed. "It was a game they (Arsenal) deserved to win," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. "They had the greater control. Were disappointed with the two goals we conceded." Rodgers only grievance was a chance in the first half. Suarez took a quick free kick after being fouled by Sagna, which released Sturridge, who crossed to Jordan Henderson for an easy tap-in. But the referee disallowed the goal, pulled play back and cautioned Sagna. The Liverpool manager spoke after the match with the referee, who told him he had to stop play to book Sagna. "I dont agree with it, but overall I thought the referee did a good job," Rodgers said. Arsenals next two fixtures are tough ones, away matches against Dortmund and Manchester United. Midfielder Jack Wilshere missed Saturdays match with an inflamed ankle and it wasnt clear if he would be ready for Wednesdays clash against Dortmund. Liverpool was missing right back Glen Johnson. He had to pull out of the match about a half hour before the team was to be named and was taken to a hospital with an unspecified illness, Rodgers said. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Free Shipping . Billy Hamilton finished off Cincinnatis biggest comeback of the season for a doubleheader sweep. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . The Boston Celtics hadnt played since the All-Star break. So the Suns 100-94 victory over Boston Wednesday night was an uphill affair, with Phoenix relying on balance rather than its trademark high energy. https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/ .Y. -- Mike Zigomaniss goal at 5:53 of the third period stood up as the winner as the Rochester Americans hung on to defeat the visiting Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2 on Saturday in American Hockey League action. Nike NFL Jerseys Outlet . And thats about it. After the Salukis 73-65 loss at Murray State on Tuesday night, Hinson called his players "uncoachable," "a bunch of mamas boys" and compared the disciplining of his young team to housebreaking a puppy. Fake Nike NFL Jerseys . Argentina, who have yet to beat New Zealand in 17 meetings, rocked the All Blacks with an early converted try to backrower Juan Manuel Leguizamon and led 7-0 after five minutes. But Smiths double in the 23rd and 26th minutes - when Argentina was reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of hooker Eusebio Guinazu - turned the tide of the match and set up New Zealands third straight Championship win.New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Jaroslav Halaks 27 saves and a dominant second period kept the Islanders the toast of New York, as the current Metropolitan Division leaders dealt the crosstown rival Rangers a 3-0 defeat at Madison Square Garden. Anders Lee, Nikolay Kulemin and Frans Nielsen all lit the lamp during the middle session to help the Islanders close out a season-high seven-game road trip with five wins and remain ahead of Pittsburgh for the division lead. Certainly its going to make a lot of people on Long Island happy (Wednesday) morning, Islanders captain John Tavares said. Were excited about beating them. Obviously theyve been playing well and the top of our division is real tight, so just a big game. The Rangers entered Tuesdays anticipated showdown with victories in 13 of their previous 14 games, but couldnt maintain the momentum as Halak outplayed Henrik Lundqvist and the Isles finished with a 44-27 advantage in shots. We were the slower team, which we havent been in this last stretch, Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. We know what makes us successful and we just werent doing it tonight. They were definitely making us look pretty slow out there. Lundqvist was replaced by Cam Talbot at the start of the third period after stopping 29-of-32 chances. The Rangers star netminder was able to withstand an early barrage during the early stages of a second period in which the Islanders controlled from the opening whistle, but Lee finally broke the scoreless deadlock by backhanding through a rebound of Calvin de Haans long drive 8:49 into the stanza. The Islanders then struck twice more in the final 3 1/2 minutes of the frame, with Kulemin extending the lead to 2-0 by ripping a puck that fell to his feet over Lundqvists shoulder while stationed in the slot.dddddddddddd An Islanders penalty late in the period provided the Rangers an opportunity to close the gap. However, Nielsen blocked a pass in his own end on the man advantage, then raced up the right side and fired a wrister under Lundqvists arm for a short-handed tally 40.9 seconds prior to the intermission. We went out in the second and you could see us just getting our game going and starting to wear them down, making them have to defend, said Tavares. Eventually we got rewarded. Talbot made 12 saves in the third period, where Halak faced just six shots to polish off his sixth shutout of the season. Both teams had a few close calls before Lee ended the stalemate. The Islanders had a Matt Martin goal waved off 4:19 into the second period when teammate Casey Cizikas made contact with Lundqvist. The Rangers hit the post three times, including back-to-back attempts from Rick Nash and Derick Brassard just seconds apart, in the first. Game Notes Nielsens goal was the Islanders league-leading seventh in short-handed situations ... The Islanders have prevailed in five of their last six visits to MSG, including a 6-3 triumph on Oct. 14 behind Halaks 40 saves. Lundqvist stopped just 21-of-27 pucks in that matchup ... Rangers forward Martin St. Louis skated in his 1,100th career NHL game, while teammate Marc Staal played in No. 500 ... Islanders forward Mikhail Grabovski missed a second straight game due to a lower-body injury. ' ' '