Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata named Barclays Premier League Player of the Month for October

In-form Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has been named the Barclays Player of the Month for October with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson being given the Manager of the Month award.

Mata, 24, who joined Chelsea last year, has been in fine form to help the Blues make an impressive start to the 2012/13 campaign.

The Spaniard has scored 5 goals in October with 3 coming in the Barclays Premier League. He scored 2 goals in the 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur with one more arriving against Manchester United while he also has a string of assists to his name.

"I'm very grateful for this award," Mata told the club's official website after receiving the accolade for the first time.

"It's very important to keep going and improve because I am still young. The most important thing is the team and I am always trying to do my best to help the team."