Costa admits bib stunt was a mistake

Chelsea striker Diego Costa conceded he was wrong to throw a bib at Jose Mourinho and insists his relationship with his manager is still strong.

The Spain international appeared to toss a training bib over his shoulder towards, but just missing, Mourinho in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur just under two weeks ago.

Costa was likely venting his frustration by being made to warm up but ultimately being left on the bench for the entire match.

He has not been in the best of form this season but was instrumental in Willian's goal in the Champions League on Wednesday after being restored to the first team and acknowledged he needs to lift his performances for the rest of the season.

"I have to improve a bit. The start of the season has not been good for me, not in how I have played nor in goals," Costa told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

"I know I have to be better to go to Euro 2016 with Spain. I have to work hard and fight but I know I have time to improve and I hope I will.

"The bib is in the past. I made a mistake but my relationship with Mourinho is amazing, we get on really well. There are things you need to control, but the bib thing was an impulse.

"The truth is Chelsea haven't been in a great moment, above all losing the other day at home. Today it was important to win to make the fans happy and to recover our confidence," he concluded.