Pérez's Joy At Goalscoring Return

- Ayoze Pérez says Leicester City can be proud of the way they showed their bouncebackability against Sheffield United on Sunday
- The Foxes secured a late 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane, thanks to Jamie Vardy’s 90th-minute winner
- Pérez, during his first start since mid-October, had earlier opened the scoring for City

The Foxes got back to winning ways in the Premier League at Bramall Lane thanks to Pérez’s opener – his first of the 2020/21 season – and a 90th-minute strike from last season’s Golden Boot winner, Jamie Vardy.

The Spaniard seized the moment in South Yorkshire, volleying home after Marc Albrighton had initially had a shot blocked inside the box, and while Oli McBurnie levelled matters shortly after, Vardy’s ninth Premier League goal of the campaign sealed three points for the visitors.

“[It was] great feeling, a great performance from the lads,” Pérez told LCFC TV at full-time. “[It’s a] very important three points after a couple of defeats, the team showed we are mentally strong to bounce back and get a win over here - that is always tough.

‘So, I'm glad to be in the team again, to be able to score. But, as I said, important to get the three points and we carry on.

“Obviously, always, scoring a goal, it's a great feeling. It gives you a lot of confidence. In that position, in that role, I knew I was going to have a chance and I had to take it, so it's an unbelievable feeling to be able to score again, to be back in the team and doing what I like the most.”

Pérez operated up front alongside Vardy on Sunday, and the 27-year-old former Newcastle United man was pleased with his role in the victory against the Blades, citing his link-up play with his team-mates.

He said: “We played a different system than we've been playing recently. [I felt] very well in that position, very comfortable up front with Vards (Jamie Vardy), dropping underneath a little bit, to link up with the midfielders and Madders (James Maddison).

“So, yes, I feel very comfortable in those positions - more central, closer to the box and always getting in there. That's what I'm very good at, and always creating chances.

“He (Vardy) has demonstrated that he's always switched on. He's always in the game. That's something that's very important. Obviously, he's always waited for his chance.

“That's why he's one of the best strikers in Europe. He's always switched on. The chance came and he scored the winner.”

Finally, Pérez believes City can be proud of the way they recovered from Thursday’s narrow loss to Zorya Luhansk in Ukraine by responding with a battling victory over Chris Wilder’s men in the Premier League.

“We had a long journey on Thursday after the Europa League,” he added. “You know, a bit of tiredness after that long trip, but the team showed the desire to come here against a tough opponent who is tough to play in this stadium, and make a performance like we did.

“So, it was something to be proud of - an amazing three points for ourselves and obviously, we carry on. We get the confidence, and on to the next one.”