Maddison: I Live For Those Moments

First Team
29 Sep 2020
2 Minutes
A 'delighted' James Maddison reflected on his sensational goal, the nature of Leicester City's comprehensive victory over Manchester City and his return from injury following Sunday's 5-2 success at Etihad Stadium.

- James Maddison responds to Leicester City's 5-2 victory at Manchester City on Sunday
- The England midfielder was pleased with how the Foxes' tactical strategy worked at Etihad Stadium
- Maddison also discussed his excellent 77th-minute goal for Leicester and his return from injury
- He hopes to feature once again for the visit of West Ham United on Sunday (12pm BST kick-off)

Maddison's 77th-minute stunner came following a Jamie Vardy hat-trick and moments before Youri Tielemans converted Leicester's third spot-kick of the afternoon in Manchester.

The England midfielder made a cameo from the bench at Etihad Stadium and was thrilled to play his part in one of the Club's most memorable-ever Premier League away triumphs.

"It’s much better to be involved in than watch to be honest!" he told LCFC TV. "As a player, you always want to play, but the team's been doing so well, two wins out of out of two.

"I'm still obviously getting back to full fitness. I’m not quite there yet, sharpness-wise and stuff, but today would have been good for me and even better to be involved in.

"I don't know how many times someone's scored five goals past Manchester City here, but it's a very rare thing so something we should be proud of.

"We’re delighted. The gaffer's really happy. We changed it up a bit tactically today, compared to our first two games, because Man City are a different proposition.

"We had to be tactically very cute and I think we nailed it down to a T, so credit to the lads, credit to the manager and we'll go home happy."

The 23-year-old also offered an insight into his mindset as he lined up to hit Leicester's fourth goal in the latter moments, before outlining the importance of remaining level-headed.

"I just found myself in a nice little pocket, no one really came towards me and I backed myself with my quality, that's what practise every day," he explained.

"I live for those moments, so I was happy to see it fly into the top corner.

"We're not going to get carried away because we are forming the early part of last season, which was brilliant.

"We know we're not going to get carried away. But we are top of the league with three wins in three and we'll try and beat West Ham next week and make it a perfect start."

Maddison has been limited to appearances off the bench so far in the Premier League, but did play 70 minutes against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup as he continues his recovery from a hip problem. 

"I mean this season's the first season, I’ve missed a whole pre-season through injury," he added, discussing the challenges he's had to overcome to ensure a timely return to action.

"It's different and it's made me realise as a footballer that pre-season's so big and the minutes you get in pre-season and the training is so important because I missed it all.

"I had no minutes and my first taste of action was in the Premier League at West Bromwich Albion and after five minutes, a few sprints, you're breathing for air.

"That comes with matches, that comes with minutes so hopefully I can build on that and get myself back into the team."