For once, West Ham gave their fans reason to stay behind.
Supporters inside the London Stadium have usually long seen enough by the time the final whistle blows but with many planning to remain in their seats to protest the club’s ownership, they must have wondered what torture they might have to endure.
Instead they were given something they have not felt in a long time.
Not just a first home victory in 248 days – even Newcastle had won here more recently than the Hammers – thanks to goals from Lucas Paqueta, an own goal from Sven Botman and a late third from Tomas Soucek, and a first win for Nuno Espirito Santo, but more than that: a sense of hope and fight.