Juan Mata believes that Chelsea's recent run of good results have brought the Blues together as they head into a hectic festive fixture schedule.

The former Premier League champions are the only team to defeat leaders Manchester City with a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

"You have to adapt to whatever the manager wants," said Mata. "He knows the characteristics of every player. It is the manager who decides, that is why he is the manager.

"Now that we are in a run where things are more positive, everything is easier, we have shown that we are together, like a family. [Andre Villas-Boas] wants everyone to feel involved, ready to produce the goods and that is what we have now. We all feel like a part of things.

"As for the title – we have to keep trying. We have not won anything just by beating these teams, but we have to keep fighting because we are still in with a chance of a lot of trophies."

The Blues' next match is against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Saturday.