Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has called on his teammates to get behind manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The Portuguese coach has come under pressure after the Blues were defeated in five of their last nine games in all competitions before Saturday's 3-0 win at Newcastle United.

"You have to remember it's the manager's first season in the Premier League, it's not easy for him and it isn't easy for the players or the club, but everything is coming together for the manager," said Drogba. "He can deal with any pressure. You don't rise to his level in coaching if you are not strong.

"Yes we've been in a difficult moment but you have to stick together and make sure that, when we are on the pitch, we are all pulling in the same direction. That's what we are doing right now and it's great to see.

"Against Newcastle we looked more like the Chelsea of old, doing the simple things well. You create your own luck sometimes but that only comes from the whole team being in a really positive state of mind. We'll have more bad moments but, if we stay together, good things will come along."

Chelsea face an important Champions League tie on Tuesday when they host Valencia at Stamford Bridge.