The 40-year-old former Leicester City and England striker, who joined Cremonese from the Foxes with the season underway, scored with his weaker left foot to contribute to a result the squad had identified as essential in the build-up. He spoke to the club's official website after the match.
"Very much so. We knew we had to win today to narrow the points gap from the 17th place and this was the right occasion to go ahead and improve our position. The manager's philosophy is different and some things take time as is natural. Today we dominated even in an equal number of players — let's keep going like this."
He described how the squad had prepared collectively for the occasion.
"Yesterday in the hotel we sat together among ourselves and talked about the importance of this match. The win gives us the right strength and confidence to think we can overtake Lecce. We'll have to create the same conditions and the same attitude in the next match to get three points."
He was direct about the dressing room's belief in survival.
"Of course — it is obligatory. We think we can achieve it. Today could have been a trap match, we could have dropped points, and it was necessary to be professional and put in the right performance. I think the game speaks for itself — we scored three goals and kept a clean sheet. This gives us confidence ahead of the next fixture."
He also described what has drawn him to the city during what amounts to the final chapter of his playing career.
"My teammates are very friendly — not all of them speak English but I feel very comfortable. The city itself has always been very welcoming towards me. You can see it is a working class city — everyone is very hospitable and respectful and I think that is a plus. The Cremonesi care so much about the Cremo and support them. It means so much to them — now it is up to us to make sure this love is reciprocated by giving everything and ensuring they play in Serie A next year."
Two games remain. Lecce host Juventus next weekend in what shapes as another fixture loaded with consequence.