DEAN WHITEHEAD admitted that his 25-yard screamer against Cardiff City on Saturday was probably the best goal he has ever scored.

It was the second time Whitehead has found the net for Sunderland this season, the other being the controversial winner at relegation favourites Rotherham in October.

The 22-year-old midfielder hit the target seven times while playing for Oxford United last season and confessed he should score more often, something he plans to rectify as the campaign progresses.

He said: "I've hit a few, but that has to be right up there with the best of them. It was an important goal at the time and it kicked us on to get a second and the three points.

"In training you try things and if they come off, they come off, and if they don't, they don't, but gladly for me it went in on Saturday.

"I should score more goals and shoot more, and hopefully improve on my scoring record this season."

Whitehead revealed that it is the fear factor driving him on this season.

With both Jeff Whitley and Carl Robinson sidelined in recent weeks through injury, the 22-year-old has made the central midfield slot his own.

Although Whitehead has occupied the right side on several occasions in the current campaign, it is the central birth he prefers.

Robinson made a welcome return to the line up on Saturday in place of the recently departed Darren Carter and Whitley is set to return from injury soon.

Whitehead knows that once his Northern Ireland international colleague is fit, he faces a fight to stay in the team.

He said: "I know that Jeff and Robbo are the first-choice pairing in the middle but maybe I have done enough to stay in the side. But whoever plays we have a chance of doing something this year."

Sunderland's performance in the Welsh capital was not one of the most accomplished they have put on this season but they seem to have the knack of grinding out results. Saturday's bruising encounter at Ninian Park was the Wearsiders' third successive victory on the road and provided a perfect tonic to last week's home defeat by promotion rivals West Ham.

"We went to Cardiff and knew it was going to be a tough game," said Whitehead. "We weren't at our best but we scored two good goals, which was important for us.

"The manager was pleased with the three points, which were massive for us.

"We had a disappointing result against West Ham but we've bounced straight back, which shows what team spirit we have here. It is unbelievable at the moment. All the lads work for each other and that shows on the pitch."

"We knew Cardiff would try to stop us playing and get in amongst us but we dealt with it quite well in the end and won quite comfortably."

The Black Cats face Burnley at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, where the home side will have to prepare for the visitors' stifling tactics once again.

Sunderland suffered in the early part of the season when teams came to Wearside and were intent to sit back and frustrate the home side. Whitehead believes they have adjusted to the tactics now and are a better team at dealing with it now than previously.

He said: "Teams always play 4-5-1 and try to frustrate us but we have the quality of player to get over that."

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