It was his first start in front of 50,000 of the faithful and appropriately Bruno Guimaraes gave us a glimpse of what the future might hold for a new vibrant Newcastle United.
Maybe another January signing Chris Wood scored the winner against the pussy cats of Wolves, maybe a defence mauled at Spurs kept a clean sheet, but it was United's newest Brazilian who showed us what might be and gave the Mags the platform to confirm Premier League safety regardless of doing any sums.
Bruno is the bonniest of lads. And to think he had mainly been a bit player until now. Wait until he is released on a regular basis! Because of circumstances beyond his control a Rolls Royce player signed in January was making his full home debut with a week of April gone. He has been held up initially by the form of three other midfielders and then by travelling to the other side of the world but surely from this day in he will be the first name on Eddie Howe's teamsheet.
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It ought to be who partners Bruno rather than can our £40m man break through the combined resistance of Jonjo Shelvey, Joelinton and Joe Willock.
Guimaraes has set the standard which must be maintained in the summer transfer market. Geordies know it. They adore the latest of the boys from Brazil, a line of succession started way back by the unique arrival of Mirandinha who was the first from his country to play in England.
Bruno positions well, protects the ball with body and deceptive strength, shows confidence and even arrogance, and pops it around as a Brazilian is supposed to do. He is more than the defensive midfielder it says on his trade description.
Guimaraes wears the number 39 shirt in deference to his dad - it is his number as a cab driver in Rio de Janeiro while his mam sells bicycles. Certainly a treasured son has provided United's transport to the promised land of security.
Having lost three matches in a row (gulp) United had embarked upon a four-fixture run where they have to remain unbeaten and confirm beyond mathematical doubt that any threat of relegation is banished before an ominous four-game finale to a momentous season.
All things being considered that amounted to getting off to a positive start by keeping the Wolves at bay and they did more than that. The usually happy Wanderers away from home were disgracefully negative for a team pushing to make Europe but United still had to penetrate and punish a massed defence.
Jamie Carragher ventured pre-match that United ought to aspire to be like Wolves next season. Well not on this display. Organised they may be, Entertainers they most certainly are not.
What is to come for the Magpies is a home match against Leicester City at the weekend, Crystal Palace back up here a week on Wednesday, then Norwich away. All winnable given a fair wind.
Each requiring some degree of points gathering, certainly, because the final climb to the finish line is against Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal and Burnley away on the final day when frankly anything could happen depending on circumstances. Luckily for our blood pressure nothing will be at stake for us at least.
You have to be pleased for Wood who had a goal ruled out by VAR for fractionally offside against a team-mate then made and scored the penalty winner.
Allan Saint-Maximin continued to raise excitement levels when on the hoof but then frustrated with his final pass or shot and problems remain up front of course in terms of a goal threat.
United have scored only twice in their last four matches - that is four-and-a-half hours of football - and they came directly from a free-kick and a spot kick. Not a finish from open play. So work needs to be done either on the training pitch or with cheque book in hand.
Home is where the heart is of course - for Howe, for the players, and for Saudi owners loving the atmosphere and togetherness despite what the rest of the country may feel.
St James' Park is a special place once again. It is the cathedral on the hill so named and treasured by Sir Bobby Robson, who resides at the Gallowgate end resplendent in bronze with a smile on his face and foot on the ball.
Jose Mourinho, put on the road to managerial success by Sir Robert, paid quiet homage at his statue whenever he came to SJP, and perhaps Eddie The Eagle will feel the same way as he starts out on a career which if he is exceptionally lucky will see him fly as high as the Great Man.
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