Sturridge - AVB faith inspired me

Sturrridge: Scores Chelsea's second goal with backheel

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge says the support from his manager gave him the confidence to open his goalscoring account for the season against Sunderland.

Following a three-match ban, having been sent off against Manchester City while on loan at Bolton on the final day of last season, Sturridge was preferred in attack to £50million man Fernando Torres.

He rewarded the faith shown in him by Andre Villas-Boas by scoring one of the goals of the season so far, back-heeling Raul Meireles' pass beyond Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet.

Sturridge told Chelsea's official website: "The competition for places is very tough in the squad and the manager has shown huge faith in me to put me in the team after a three-game ban, because I've been training for the last five weeks, including the international break.

"It was a huge result to come away from Sunderland with three points. It's a great stadium and their fans sing very loud.

"Now we need to keep winning and put pressure on the Manchester clubs."

Goal

Reflecting on his goal, he added: "It was a great ball from Raul Meireles, great vision from him and I got across the centre-half (Wes Brown) and saw the keeper coming out, so I just went for a little cheeky one.

"The only way I could have scored was to do that and it paid off. I've done it in training a few times but it is completely different in a game.

"I thought that he (Brown) was going to get to it before it crossed the line and it was a huge moment to see it hit the net."