TELLA THRILLED TO BE ON TARGET AT QPR

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Clarets' 23 delighted with three points in the capital

2022-12-11T16:29:52.146Z

TELLA THRILLED TO BE ON TARGET AT QPR

Clarets' 23 delighted with three points in the capital

2022-12-11T16:29:52.146Z

Clarets' 23 delighted with three points in the capital

Nathan Tella increased his goal tally for the season to seven on Sunday afternoon, with his brilliant finish contributing to the Clarets 3-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road.

The Man of the Match was delighted with the team's performance, including teammates Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson and Ian Maatsen's finishes and can't wait to get back on home turf next weekend against Middlesbrough.

Speaking post-match on the result, Tella said: “It’s really good, as a team we all wanted to get back onto the pitch. It’s been a while since we last played.

"Today, you could see we started the game the same way we ended the Blackburn game. We had a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of energy, created a lot of chances, had a lot of possession and we were able to get the win and another clean sheet which is a positive.”

The forward didn't have the easiest task, finding the back of the net despite the tight angle.

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“I was really happy. I think literally my first touch of the game was a one v one with the keeper and I hit it straight at him and obviously I was a bit frustrated with that. Credit to the team, we created a lot of chances and even though my goal was off the counter press, we created more chances before that, and anyone could have scored today. Luckily Johann scored an amazing free-kick, Ian had a nice re-bounded finish and, luckily today I was able to score as well."

Then on his somersault celebration in front of the away fans, he said: “You know what it is, because there’s a hole over there, so I had to jump over, and I didn’t know what to do!”

TELLA THRILLED TO BE ON TARGET AT QPR - Image 2

The Southampton loanee has spoken positively about his time under Vincent Kompany and believes his game is benefitting from the physicality of the Championship.

“Yes definitely [I’m benefitting], my ball retention needed to be much better, I noticed that from last season. Here, playing against more physical defenders who give you less time, always want to kick lumps out of you. It’s good for me to get my body positioning right, I’ve had a lot of one-to-one feedback over the past week with how I’m supposed to make my runs to avoid the contact. Where I should make my runs and the positions I need to be in on the pitch and luckily today everything worked out well so I’m really happy.”

Following a successful afternoon in London, the forward's attention now turns to Middlesbrough, and he's looking forward to being back on home turf.

“I’ve missed it you know; I’m really, really looking forward to getting back. It’ll be a good game as well, Middlesbrough won, I think they won their last game as well, and we’re good, feeling confident as well, so it’ll be a good game and I can’t wait to be back in front of the fans at Turf Moor.”