Sturridge to start for Chelsea

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti handed Daniel Sturridge his first Barclays Premier League start for the Boxing Day trip to Birmingham.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has handed Daniel Sturridge his first Premier League start for today's trip to Birmingham.

Sturridge – whose father Michael and uncle Simon are former Birmingham players - getsthe nod in the absence of injured France striker Nicolas Anelka, while Brazilian centre-half Alex replaces Ricardo Carvalho, with the Portugal international among the league leaders’ substitutes.