COVENTRY City defender Ian Maatsen admitted it was an “amazing” feeling after scoring his first Sky Blues goal in their 4-1 demolition of Fulham this past weekend.
The teenage wing-back struck a thunderous effort into the right corner to net City’s third goal of the afternoon – and his first for the club.
City’s other goals came from Viktor Gyokeres – who now has nine goals in 11 games this season after scoring a brace – and Matty Godden.
Kyle McFadzean’s own goal put Fulham ahead at the break only for City to hit back in sensational style after half-time as they secured a memorable come-from-behind win.
Maatsen is on loan at Coventry from Chelsea and has been an ever-present in Mark Robins side since arriving from the European champions in the summer.
The 19-year-old spent last season with Charlton Athletic in League One and was delighted to grab his first goal for the club in front of the adoring Coventry fans.
Maatsen said: “The goal was an amazing feeling, my first goal in the Championship for Coventry.
“I got the ball in the box and I thought just touch and shoot on target and it went in, it was an amazing feeling.
“It’s a fantastic stadium, when teams come here, they’re shaking, the crowd provide big pressure behind us and they support us 90 minutes long whether we win or lose.”
The win was Coventry’s sixth in succession at the Coventry Building Society Arena which marks their best start to a season at home since the 1950/51 campaign.
The Sky Blues sit just three points off the top in the Championship table and Maatsen admitted he has been surpsised by the club’s fantastic start to the season.
He said: “We didn’t expect to be in this position, we’ve worked hard on the training ground.
“The gaffer told us to stay calm and do what we do.
“I know what the gaffer wants from us, we’re a good team that like to play football, hopefully we can keep this going.”
Maatsen grew up in his native Netherlands before moving to England as a 16-year-old to sign for Chelsea.
And he remains intent on following his dream of playing in the Premier League for the Blues having adapted well to the rigours of the Championship.
He added: “I play against many different players and different play styles, it’s good for me to have these games, good games and bad games I always learn from them.
“The Championship is tough, you play twice a week against bigger teams with better players, it’s really quick and direct play.
“I followed my dream to play in the Premier League, I was 16 when I joined Chelsea, I came by myself.
“My family support me in the background, I was living with foster parents, they took care of me and I have good contact with them.”
The Sky Blues return to action after the international break when they travel to Ewood Patk to play Blackburn Rovers at 3pm on Saturday, October 16.
