Back then, Gudjonsson was harshly sent off as the Clarets lost a controversial clash 3-2, and to rub salt in the wound, the Iceland international received an additional match ban for an appeal which was deemed frivolous

However, he had a happier outcome on Saturday as his 40-yard howitzer levelled the score at 1-1, before goals from skipper Steven Caldwell and substitute Chris Eagles sealed victory.

He was involved in a sending-off incident, as his burst forced Callum Davidson into a deliberate handball, earning a red card for his troubles, and Gudjonsson said: "It definitely made up for last season, massively, I was really devastated, losing and being sent off.

"It was really tough times to go through, and in the end I got four games for that over Christmas.

"This really makes up for that, and the fans deserve a good win against Preston as well.

"It spurred me on, funnily enough we had the same referee, but he made his decisions last year on what he thought was right, and I respect that.

"He did well in this game though.

"I shook his hand before the game and wished him all the best, and he did the same."

The former Leicester City player of the year feels his strike is up there as one of his best ever, probably only topped by a 55-yard effort for the Foxes against Hull City: "I think it was a great goal, probably in my top two, especially being in a derby, it was pretty special.

"The goal I scored for Leicester City from the halfway line was quite special as well, but, more importantly, it helped us get back in the game and we got a good result in the end in a game I felt we deserved to win.

"I've been practising for a long time and I've always had a decent shot on me, in my opinion, and I get encouraged by the manager to shoot, and when I get the chance, I try to go for it, and it went in this time."

Gudjonsson netted the opener at Swansea last week, his first goal for the club since getting the winner at Watford last November, and he is hoping his goals help earn an extended run in the side: "I've been left out a few times, but I'm just trying to get on with it and hopefully I am taking my chance at the moment.

"More importantly, we're doing well as a team. We have a really strong squad, and every week someone has to be left out, everybody knows they have a part to play though, and we're a strong group, really good together.

"If you play well, you keep the jersey. There's a lot of competition, but it's healthy for the club.

"We didn't start the season well, and got badly beaten in the first couple of games, but I think we've got a really strong base now and we work really hard.

"When we go forward we try to pass the ball well, and have strong defenders.

"We aren't conceding many goals, and that's really helping because we can always score goals."

The side have profited from Graham Alexander being installed as the holding midfielder, with the likes of Chris McCann, in particular, prospering, and Gudjonsson added: "Chris is obviously a really talented player, loads of energy, he can work from box to box, like we both do with the security of having Graham Alexander behind us, and I'm loving it."

He is now looking forward to pitting his wits against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup fourth round, although he is wary of focussing on the important league games beforehand: "I would have rather had them here, because it's a long journey, but it will be a good occasion and I'm sure we'll be really up for it on the day.

"But we have to concentrate on the league until then."