LONDON -- For many observers, Arsenal needed to beat a major rival to prove its worthiness as a title contender in the English Premier League. David Ross Cubs Jersey . 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. Keith Moreland Jersey . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Dillon Maples Jersey . - Novak Djokovic beat John Isner 7-5, 6-7 (2), 6-1 on Saturday to reach the final of the BNP Paribas Open, where hell resume his longtime rivalry with Roger Federer. https://www.cheapcubs.com/1850t-rowan-wick-jersey-cubs.html . He made the comment at a media availability Saturday prior to Game 2 of the Boston-Montreal playoff series when a Quebec reporter said there is sentiment in Quebec that the NHL looks more favourably on Seattle than Quebec City when it comes to future expansion. BOSTON -- Jonas Gustavsson didnt have a lot of time to plan for his first action of the season. Gustavsson didnt find out until nearly game time that Detroits No. 1 goaltender Jimmy Howard was going to be sidelined with a catching hand injury. Then the backup stopped 28 shots and led the Red Wings to a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Monday afternoon. "Maybe 15, 20 minutes before the game started," Gustavsson said, sitting at his locker taking his equipment off in a nearly empty dressing room following the win. "It felt good. I was excited to play. Its always fun to go out and have your first game, especially when we have a chance to win." And the Red Wings (4-2) had to hang on right until the last second to get their second straight victory. Milan Lucics 100th career goal sliced it to 3-2 with 1:20 to play. With Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask pulled for an extra skater, Boston had the puck in Detroits zone for nearly all of the final 80 seconds. Stephen Weiss and Daniel Cleary scored second-period goals for the Wings. Henrik Zetterberg had the other score. Loui Eriksson had Bostons other goal. The Bruins had a two-man power-play advantage for nearly two minutes early in the third period, but couldnt mount a comeback. "It looks like were feeling the pressure of not scoring goals," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "Our goal-scoring confidence is not where we need it to be and weve got to get that straightened out." Gustavsson bobbled a few shots in the opening period, but improved as the game went on. He made a pair of stops on Jarome Iginlas shots from the left point when the Bruins had the two-man edge for 1:54 early in the third period. "Thats how it is usually in a game," Gustavsson said. "When you get your first shots on you, you grow into the game. I felt pretty good. The guys helped me a lot to feel good." As for Howard, he didnt think hed be able to play in the next game at home against Columbus on Tuesday night. "Doubtful," he said. "Were really just going to have to wait and see. Hopefully, itll heal fast." Tuuukka Rask made 24 saves for Boston (3-2). Ferguson Jenkins Jersey. Boston also had a power play with just under six minutes left, when Daniel Alfredsson was whistled for boarding, but failed to get any good scoring chances. The Bruins went 0 for 5 on the power play. "You go through it," Iginla said of still looking for his first goal of the season. "Sometimes it frustrates you and you do a little too much. Theres no excuse. Ive been through it before." Weiss score pushed the Red Wings ahead 2-1 midway into the second period. Johan Franzen fired a pass from the left corner to Weiss alone in front and he beat Rask with a wrister inside the left post. Detroit then made it 3-1 on Clearys goal 2:20 later when he slipped a shot by Rask inside the right post after collecting Alfredssons from the side of the net. The Red Wings jumped ahead 1-0 when Zetterberg took a feed from Pavel Datsyuk midway into the first period. Datsyuk gathered the puck near centre ice after Patrice Bergeron mishandled it, broke in down the middle, shifted around Boston defenceman Zdeno Chara and sent a backhand pass by two other Bruins perfectly to Zetterberg, who redirected it past Rask from the bottom of the left faceoff circle. Johnny Boychuks shot from the right point ricocheted off Erikssons knee and by Gustavsson to tie the game at 14:12 of the first. NOTES: Bruins LW Shawn Thornton played his 500th career game. ... Hall of Famer Milt Schmidt dropped the ceremonial first puck. The former Bruin is 95 years old. ... The Bruins showed highlights of Tom Bradys last-minute drive and David Ortizs grand slam on the Jumbotron. ... Julien said before the game "it was pretty awesome" to be at Fenway Park for Game 2 of the ALCS Sunday night after listening to the Patriots rally against the New Orleans Saints in the car driving to the Red Sox-Detroit Tigers game. ... Boston beat Detroit 4-1 in the teams first meeting Oct. 5. ... Boston opens a three-game road trip at Florida on Thursday before games at Tampa Bay and Buffalo. ... Detroit RW Todd Bertuzzi played on the first line for the second straight game. ' ' '