Mata vows to improve for Chelsea

Published Sep. 29, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Juan Mata says he is determined to earn a regular starting place after his starring role off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

Mata has found himself out of favour under Jose Mourinho despite being the club's player of the year last season.

He came off the bench in Saturday's London derby and it was his free-kick that set up John Terry to score Chelsea's equalizer.

Mourinho confirmed Mata would be rewarded with a start against Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday and the Spaniard has promised he will be working hard to prove himself to the new boss.

"Obviously everyone wants to play but, I am a professional, I respect all of my teammates and what I want to do is enjoy it on the pitch, and I think against Tottenham I did that," Mata said.

"We needed to improve and we tried to, and when I came on I just tried to give my best for the team.

"It is what I did since I came and it is what I am going to do until the end. I am happy with the second half, but it wasn't enough to win.

"Last season we won here and this season we wanted to win again, it wasn't possible but the team showed that we can fight until the end."

Terry was thrilled to score at White Hart Lane, where he was targeted by the home support.

"I am absolutely delighted. I took a bit of stick here over the last few years so that's for the fans who have supported me over the years," Terry said.

"I stayed wider and changed places with Lamps and I got in behind and got on the end of it. It was a great ball from Juan again. It means a lot to the fans so it was good to get on the scoresheet and get us back in the game."