Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez paid tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha after scoring the winner against Tottenham at Wembley in his first game since the Leicester City owner's death.
Srivaddhanaprabha was one of five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside the King Power stadium following Leicester's 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday night.
Mahrez spent four and a half seasons at Leicester, winning the Premier League title with the club under Srivaddhanaprabha's ownership in 2015/16.
At Wembley, Mahrez's sixth minute goal proved enough to give secure a 1-0 win, and the Algerian pointed to the sky in tribute after his strike.
"It's been very, very difficult for me," Mahrez told Sky Sports. "It's not easy to have this type of stuff. The boss was very special to me, I spent four and a half years there and I have many memories with him. He was such a good person.
"He did a lot for me and Leicester and it is difficult to speak about. It is very sad.
"He was like a dad. He was very special."
Monday night's Premier League game came just 48 hours after the tragedy, but Mahrez said that he never considered asking to be left out of the team.
"I always wanted to play," he said. "I know he would have wanted me to play. He was passionate about football. It was difficult (to play against Tottenham) but I kept thinking about him. It was difficult to sleep as well."
