MANCHESTER, England -- David Moyes has been waiting for a signature victory to kickstart his short, erratic tenure at Manchester United. Kyle Orton Jersey . Who better to get it against than the Premier League leaders? After falling short against title rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City so far this season, United finally delivered when it really mattered by beating Arsenal 1-0 on Sunday thanks to Robin van Persies 27th-minute goal against his former club. The reigning champions are back within sight of Arsenal in fifth place and on the march, unbeaten in nine games in all competitions. "I dont think it puts out a statement," said Moyes, who has struggled under the pressure of succeeding Alex Ferguson at United. "I think people have known for years how good Manchester United have been. "My job and the teams job is to try to show we can do that again. We know we are going to get a few bloody noses along the way." Since leaving north London for Manchester in August last year for 24 million pounds (then $38 million), Van Persie has scored in all three games against Arsenal. Still unable to forgive the Netherlands striker, Arsenals away contingent wasnt shy in expressing their feelings toward Van Persie early in the game. The chants were crude and personal. Van Persie responded the only way he could -- by scoring. Getting away from marker Olivier Giroud, he met Wayne Rooneys corner with a header that looped into the top corner. Van Persie scored for the fourth straight match in the league and for a seventh time this campaign, as he looks to become the Premier Leagues top scorer for a third season in a row. It was one of the few sights of goal in a cagey match in which Arsenal played well within itself, displaying an inferiority complex many thought had disappeared after its strong start to the season. This was only its first defeat since the opening-day loss to Aston Villa. "I felt we were a bit nervous at the start of the game and didnt play our game and against a team like United who was nervous and a bit insecure, we gave them a little bit of comfort," said Wenger, who was without Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky due to a virus that affected the squad during the days before the match. The Gunners were flat at the end of a week in which they beat Liverpool in the league and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. A win at Old Trafford would have put them 11 points clear of United. Now, they are just five points ahead of Moyes improving side. "We knew we had to win today at all costs," Rooney said. "That was the toughest weve been to break down and we defended really well. We knew we could not afford to lose today, we couldnt let Arsenal get 11 points away from us." With Rooney often to the fore, United hounded the visitors into sloppy errors early on and kept playmaker Mesut Ozil on the periphery. Arsenals only half-chance fell to Giroud, and he headed over from the edge of the area from Aaron Ramseys cross. The Londoners were given a lift at halftime, however, with United centre back Nemanja Vidic not coming out for the second half after being clattered in the head by the hip of his goalkeeper, David de Gea, in the final seconds of the first half. Vidic was taken to a hospital but Moyes said the Serbian defender was conscious, adding: "As far as we know, hes going to be OK." Phil Jones, who had been shielding the defence brilliantly in central midfield, dropped into the backline and Arsenals silky midfielders finally had some space to perform. United initially remained in the ascendancy, with Rooney dragging a left-foot shot just wide from the edge of the area on the hour mark. But Arsenal slowly began to take command, probing around Uniteds area. Two devilish crosses by Bacary Sagna were missed by Giroud then Nicklas Bendtner, Jones denied Giroud with a last-ditch tackle and the France striker slid a shot just wide of the post. However, De Gea was never seriously tested throughout. For the champions, it could be the victory that sparks their season. "Its another step in the right direction for us, but we have a lot of steps to take here," Moyes said. "Its going to take a while to get it the way I want it to be. But Im thrilled because the boys put in a great performance." Preston Brown Jersey . Another is a bunch of groundballs. Finally, theres a game that lasts two hours six minutes. Pavano kept up his recent surge with an efficient six-hitter for the Twins in a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night. Womens Jerry Hughes Elite Jersey . The Spurs announced on Monday that they have re-signed Matt Bonner.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith was exhausted after he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown. "I was definitely happy I made it," Smith said. "I wanted to celebrate, but I was too tired." Thats fine, because the Chiefs are suddenly breathing easier after their defence kept Kansas Citys perfect start intact. Smiths interception and linebacker Tamba Halis 11-yard fumble return for a touchdown aided the Chiefs in overcoming a pedestrian offence and their own leaky defence in securing a 23-13 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Kansas City (9-0) remained the NFLs only undefeated team and matched the best start in franchise history set in 2003. The Chiefs now enter their bye week before a key AFC West showdown against the Denver Broncos (7-1) on Nov. 17. If the only thing perfect about the Chiefs is their record so far, coach Andy Reid refuses to make any apologies. "Were not going to make excuses for it," said Reid, who in his first year has the Chiefs continuing their worst-to-first run after a 2-14 finish last season. "Were pretty happy that we got the touchdowns. Well take them any way we can get them." The Chiefs defence led the way, outscoring the Alex Smith-led offence, which was limited to three field goals. And the defence had to compensate for its own problems in having difficulty containing a Buffalo offence headed by Jeff Tuel, an undrafted rookie making his first career start. Despite allowing a season-worst 470 yards of offence and 25 first downs, the Chiefs were opportunistic in holding their ninth consecutive opponent to 17 points or less to match an NFL record set by the 1977 Atlanta Falcons. Smiths interception turned the momentum, tying the score at 10 after Tuel had marched the Bills 79 yards on the opening drive of the third quarter. Hali then put the Chiefs ahead for good by scooping up T.J. Grahams fumble -- forced by cornerback Marcus Cooper -- and running it in to put Kansas City ahead 20-13 with 12:47 left. "We dont really care what people think," Hali said of the Chiefs victories lacking style points. "Sometimes the stats dont really tell you the outcome." Tell that to the Bills (3-6), who were left stunned and frustrated in attempting to figure out how they let this one slip away. Mario Williams Jersey. "Horrible," offensive co-ordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. "It was shocking even to our guys. We did everything we wanted. We just couldnt finish it." The difference was turnovers, as the Chiefs turned Buffalos three giveaways -- two interceptions thrown by Tuel and Grahams fumble -- into 17 points. The loss marred what began as a solid outing by Tuel, who became the third quarterback to start for Buffalo this season. He played in place of interim starter Thad Lewis, who was sidelined by bruised ribs, and with rookie starter EJ Manuel missing his fourth game with a sprained right knee. Tuels 139 yards passing in the first half were the most by a Bills quarterback in the first two quarters this season. And Tuel was in a position to improve his numbers after marching Buffalo to the Kansas City 1 on the opening drive of the second half before his day went awry. Facing third-and-goal, Tuel took a shotgun snap, and looked immediately to his right, where Graham was running a slant pattern. Tuel, however, failed to account for Smith, who easily picked off the pass at the goal line and then took off up the left sideline. "Its very frustrating," Tuel said. "Thats 100 per cent my fault." Tuel finished 18 of 39 for 229 yards passing, and a 59-yard touchdown to Marquise Goodwin. For Kansas City, Smith completed 19 of 29 passes for just 124 yards. Running back Jamaal Charles was held under 100 yards from scrimmage for the first time this season. Kansas City also snapped a six-game losing streak at Orchard Park that included two playoff losses, winning there for the first time since Sept. 28, 1986. NOTES: Bills WR Robert Woods did not return after having difficulty putting any weight on his lower leg late in the third quarter. Coach Doug Marrone said tests were negative. ... Chiefs S Kendrick Lewis also had an interception, picking off Tuels pass that sailed over the head of TE Scott Chandler in the second quarter. ... The Bills ran all over the Chiefs defence in finishing with a season-best 241 yards rushing. Buffalo was led by C.J. Spiller, who had 116 yards rushing. ' ' '
