Thibaut Courtois thinks he is repairing his relationship with Chelsea fans one great save at a time.

In September the Blues faithful were outraged by the keeper’s comments suggesting he wanted a move back to Spain, where he made his name with Atletico Madrid.

Three months on, the travelling hordes sang that same name in delight at Sunderland as the Belgian pulled out a top-drawer save to preserve a 1-0 win, denying Patrick van Aanholt’s half-volley in the last minute.

Courtois, a rejuvenated figure under Antonio Conte, pledged his unbridled commitment to Blues' improving title bid.

“I think sometimes my comments didn’t come out the way I meant,” he said after last night’s game.

Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea celebrates after saving to deny Sunderland an equaliser
Right on! Thibaut Courtois celebrates after denying Sunderland an equaliser

“I can understand that they were frustrated but I never meant it that way.

“They can clearly see that I am fully committed to this club, I want to win games and to win trophies for this club.

“I will do my very best for Chelsea.”

Technical input from new goalkeeping coach Gianluca Spinelli and faith Conte has shown in Courtois are key factors in the keeper’s best run yet in a Chelsea shirt.

As well as he feels, Courtois is quick to point out he felt his form in his first season at the club went under the radar.

“I think the first season I came I played very well as well,” he said.

“With Petr (Cech) around I think people noticed it less.

“I had a lot of games where I made a lot of important saves, I think it went a bit unnoticed.

“Obviously last season was not the best for me or the team, but I think I had a good Euros and started pre-season working hard.

“I try to keep high standards and help the team when I can.”

Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta (left) and Sunderland's Adnan Januzaj
Juggling act: Cesar Azpilicueta (left) and Sunderland's Adnan Januzaj

The win on Wearside means Chelsea have already won more games than they did in the entirety of last season.

Courtois had a tough time amid the horrors of that campaign and believes that the Blues might have collapsed under late pressure from Sunderland a year ago.

“When you’re on a run it gets easier, when you have a negative run like we did last season it’s really hard to get out of that,” he said.

“Conceding goals, losing points, not winning, losing at home- this year it’s the other way around.

Games like West Brom, last night, Middlesbrough away, maybe we wouldn't have won those games last year.

“This year we are so that's very, very positive.”

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Sunderland manager David Moyes
Congrats: Antonio Conte (L) and Sunderland manager David Moyes

The 24 year-old also pointed to the psychological impact of Chelsea’s 10-game winning run as teams like Liverpool wait for a slip-up and are left disappointed.

“Two years ago we drew here and last year we lost,” he said.

“People sometimes expect big teams to drop points against teams that are battling against relegation.

“It's good that teams come into the dressing room today having won, Liverpool for example, and see damn, Chelsea won as well.

“We need to keep the standards high.

“On Saturday we are the first team to play so we have to show that we can get three points and then they are under pressure to win as well. It's an important game for us.”

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