Lejeune reflects on craziest 102 seconds of his career
stoodwellbehindhisline.The goal was given.
“I’ve never scored two before–itwasanicewaytodoit,” said Lejeune, who has fought back after rupturing the anteriorcruciateligamentsinboth hiskneesinthespaceofayear.
“My first goal made it 2-1. Thesecondwascrazy,because there were a lot of players in the box. Nobody knew if it had gone in because there were so many people in the box. The referee said it was a goal.
“When we scored the first, we were losing, so no celebration. We just wanted to try to get a corner or a free kick and we got one, and I’m happy it ended in that way.”
Lejeune and his teammates ran to the club’s 1,700 travellingfans,tuckedintothe lower tier of the Bullens Road Stand, at the opposite end of the ground after the goal. The rest of Goodison Park was silent. “It is not just the 90 minutes,” said Lejeune. “It’s 93, 94 and 95. We have to try, and we keep trying. That says everything about this squad.”
The comeback meant everything to Lejeune, who had surgeryonbothkneesinRome last season.
“I hope my bad injuries are over,” said the 28-year-old, signed from Eibar in the summer of 2017. “I had two big injuries.Ihaveworkedveryhard during those times, every day.
“It was difficult for me and for my wife, because my baby wasborninRome.Itwasalong way to bring my wife to another country the second time. It’s a long way. I think I work hard, amazing staff, and everyone has been good with me. I’mhappytobeplayingagain.”
Lejeune, exhausted physically and mentally after a festive comeback for the first team, was culpable for two of Leicester City’s goals in their 3-0 New Year’s Day win at St James’s Park.
“I know, for me, it was difficult in the last few weeks, because after eight months I played four games in 10 days,” saidLejeune.“Youcanseewhy it’s difficult after being out for so long, not just for the body, but for the head too.
“Tired. The legs, head, they’re the same. I wasn’t happy after the Leicester game, because I was tired.
“I have felt good about my body,though.Thelegandknee hasbeengood.I’mhappynow.”
The game followed the announcement that former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb had joined on loan from Schalke 04.
“I know this player, a very good player technically, and a lot of ability,” said Lejeune. “I think he can give something different. We’re happy to have this player.
“We’re happy to have new players. We’ll make sure we welcome any new players to Newcastle. Nabil’s a different type of player to what we have. He has good left foot, he has played in the Champions League. He’s a big player, and he can do well for us.”