LONDON -- Arsenals Premier League momentum was halted when the Gunners allowed a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Everton on Sunday, while Fulham ended its losing streak by beating Aston Villa to give new manager Rene Meulensteen his first victory. Dalton Schultz Jersey . Arsenal failed to take full advantage of its main rivals stumbles on Saturday as substitute Gerard Deulofeu levelled with a hard shot from a tight angle in the 84th minute to give Everton a deserved point. Ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see them play against Napoli in the Champions League, Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal leads by five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. "Not bad to take, ideally wanted seven but at least weve got five," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said about his teams margin. "It gives a little bit of a cushion to play in a serene way against other teams." After Chelsea lost 3-2 at Stoke and Manchester City was held 1-1 at Southampton on Saturday, Arsenal will certainly rue striker Olivier Girouds shot that hit the crossbar in stoppage time. Seeking their first title since 2004, the Gunners got off to a strong start this season but some critics continue to cast doubts over their title credentials, despite their impressive combination of speed and flair. "As long as we are five points ahead you cannot rule ourselves out even with the best desire," Wenger said. "So lets keep that cushion. It shows you that it will be a tough Premier League and the consistency in the end will be rewarded. The consistency for us is down to us to keep this attitude until the end of the season." Everton followed up their victory at Old Trafford midweek with another impressive performance, playing with determination and a high tempo during the first half to monopolize possession. With Ross Barkley bossing the midfield, Everton was a constant threat on the flanks during the first half but lacked the finishing touch. Failing to produce its usual sharp passing game, Arsenal started playing better in the closing stages of the first half and should have scored with two minutes remaining when referee Howard Webb decided to play the advantage following Gareth Barrys rough tackle on Ozil. But Howard was quick off his line to deny Girouds effort from close range. The United States goalkeeper was again decisive in the 45th minute to block Aaron Ramseys attempt from Girouds assist. Arsenal played with the same intensity after the interval and went ahead after Everton wasted two good chances, as Theo Walcott headed a ball across the goal and Giroud failed to hit it before Ozil fired it into the roof of the net. Everton fought back to equalize after Romelu Lukaku failed to connect with an overhead kick and Deulofeu slotted home from 10 metres, before Giroud almost grabbed the three points with his powerful strike that hit the woodwork. "The performance, I couldnt be happier," said Everton manager after the club remained fifth in the standings, seven points behind Arsenal. "The only bit of criticism is you need to take your chances, in the final third we were not ruthless enough. But I am really, really pleased. The character is really strong." Earlier, Steve Sidwell and Dimitar Berbatov scored first-half goals to give Fulham a 2-0 win over Villa to end a six-game losing streak in the league. The result marked Meulensteens first win as Fulham manager as his players ended Aston Villas five-match unbeaten run. The visitors were kept at bay from the start and were never a real threat on a sunny afternoon at Craven Cottage. After a minutes applause for former South African President Nelson Mandela who died Thursday, Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan pushed Berbatovs header onto the bar but was powerless when Sidwell flicked the ball from a tight angle to open the scoring in the 21st minute. Berbatov then calmly scored from the penalty spot for his second league goal this season after Alexander Kacaniklic was fouled by Leandro Bacuna in the box. "I couldnt be more delighted and the players should be delighted with themselves," Meulensteen said. "We were quality going forward in an attacking sense. Its a massive boost. Although we lost, we got the feel good factor back against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday and it was about backing that up with three points today. The fans can see were back on track." James Hanna Jersey .Corey Brewer had 19 points eight rebounds, five assists and five steals for the Timberwolves, who snapped a six-game losing streak and won for just the third time since Ricky Rubio went out with an injured ankle on Nov. Jamize Olawale Jersey . -- Jonas Hiller is cautiously confident he has kicked his vertigo. http://www.officialcowboysnflauthenticshop.com/cedrick-wilson-jr.-stitched-jersey/ . But last years runner-up Jarkko Nieminen crashed out despite winning the first set against Denis Istomin. Istomin fired 10 aces and won 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 to even his career record against Nieminen at 3-3.AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Jimmie Johnson, his eyes squarely on a sixth NASCAR championship, set the tone for what could be yet another dominating weekend in the desert by winning the pole at Phoenix International Raceway. He did it with a track record. The five-time NASCAR champion turned a lap of 139.222 mph in his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on Friday to break the mark of 138.766 set by Kyle Busch last November. "Track records are awesome," Johnson said after Fridays qualifying session. "I dont qualify on pole all that often, so I take great pride in them, especially track records. Very cool to do, and clearly a great time in the season and a great time in the Chase." Matt Kenseth, who trails Johnson by seven points in the standings, will start 14th Sunday in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He knows he has a lot of work ahead of him this weekend in making his car better, and then trying to catch Johnson on Sunday. "This track in the spring was extremely hard to pass at, probably one of the toughest tracks that we go to and I dont know if it will be any better or not this time," Kenseth said. "Pit strategy was all basically the same the last time we were here. So, unless you have cautions fall funny, I dont know if youll be able to do it on pit strategy. I think youre going to have to have a good balance, good speed, you have to be able to pass, have to have good pit stops, all these things. "I dont feel its a track where youre going to get a whole bunch of free ones from a strategy call. I think youre going to have to be good all day." Denny Hamlin qualified second with a lap at 139.023 for JGR, but he went out much later in Fridays session than teammate Kenseth. Joey Logano qualified third in a Penske Racing Ford, and Kyle Busch was fourth as both of Kenseths teammates out-qualified the title contender. Both HHamlin and Logano marveled at Johnsons performance. Jihad Ward Jersey. "Hes been in kill mode for a while," Logano said. "When they are running for that championship, they find that extra notch that a lot of other teams cant find." Johnson is coming off a dominating performance last week at Texas, where he led 255 of the 334 laps to win his sixth race of the season and break a tie with Kenseth in the standings. "Last week, I ran second to him for a while and just to see the speed in his car -- and then he unloads today and you watch in practice how fast his car was," Logano said. "Hes got that next notch and hes going really fast right now." Hamlin, who lost the title to Johnson in 2010, said it was inevitable for Johnson to hit his stride. "Everyone in the garage knew they could turn it up at will, and this is typically the time of the year that they start doing that, especially when they are in championship contention," Hamlin said, adding that Johnson would have to have an off day for Kenseth to have a shot at winning the title. "And when I say off, hes going to have to finish fifth or sixth to give Matt an honest shot at beating him," Hamlin said. "You already know this weekend is pretty much crossed off as being an off weekend." Johnson said he doesnt think the No. 48 team is doing anything different. "Its hard when you are inside of it, inside the car, inside the team, to know what the difference is, because we are doing the same stuff," Johnson said. "But when I look around at what other champions do to do win, they always find a way to find a little more. Somehow we are doing that, yes, I recognize that, but its not a concerted effort. Its not something we are doing any differently. We are trying to rise up to the pace of (Kenseth) and beat him." Cheap Steelers Jerseys Cheap Patriots Jerseys Cheap Bills Jerseys Cheap Jets Jerseys Cheap Giants Jerseys Cheap Redskins Jerseys Cheap Bears Jerseys Cheap Eagles Jerseys Cheap Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Jaguars Jerseys Cheap Raiders Jerseys Cheap Dolphins Jerseys Cheap Panthers Jerseys Cheap Lions Jerseys Cheap Browns Jerseys ' ' '