One down, nine to go. In this mini sprint to the top-six finish line, Nottingham Forest sprung out of the traps.
Not that they've ever really let up since Steve Cooper took charge, and particularly since the turn of the year. Even so, there was always a little bit of concern that the international break could have disrupted that momentum.
Not a bit of it. The Reds picked up from where they left off.
Read more: How the Reds rated against Blackpool
Read more: Relive the action from Forest's clash at Bloomfield Road
Blackpool were pretty much done at half-time. Three goals to the good and oozing confidence, Forest made light of their opponents' strong home record.
A late consolation effort for Callum Connolly was the only real blot on the copybook. A clean-sheet would have been well deserved. But the Reds were ruthless and clinical, and they could have scored more.
Philip Zinckernagel set them on their way, after seeing a penalty appeal waved away. Brennan Johnson blew the Seasiders away with an exquisite quick-fire brace. And then Sam Surridge rounded off a fine afternoon with another beauty.
A sold-out away stand was rocking. The Cooper fist-bumps were back, after a brief hiatus. And the Reds served notice to their rivals that they mean business.
Brilliant Brennan
He's a very special talent. Rave reviews followed a starring role for Wales in the last fortnight, and there will be plenty more to come.
Cooper had been asked in the build-up to Saturday's game whether he minded the plaudits - and speculation - around youngsters like Johnson, Djed Spence and James Garner. His response was that it means those players have been doing something right. But he reiterated that they need to keep doing it.
Johnson did just that. He showed composure beyond his years for his delightful double.
The first was an arrowed first-time finish into the far corner. The second was a cheeky dink over the goalkeeper.
That's 14 for the season now. You'd bank on a few more before the campaign is done. Make no bones about it, the 20-year-old is going to have a big influence in these last few weeks.
Goal glut
Forest have been on a four-goal spree four times so far this term - against Swansea City, Leicester City in the FA Cup, Reading and now the Seasiders. Three of those occasions came while being without Lewis Grabban, which just shows the extent of the attacking threat throughout the squad.
Goal difference could be vital come the final reckoning of places. If it is, the Reds' +21 is significantly better than every other Championship side bar Fulham (+60) and Bournemouth (+29). That essentially counts for an extra point.
In a terrific first half, they outclassed Blackpool, punishing their hosts as they cruised to the three points. The second half was a bit more stop-start, but by then the job was done.
Even then, the visitors didn't exactly take their foot off the gas. Zinckernagel was thwarted when clean through, while the Seasiders must have been pleading for a break when they saw the double substitution of Grabban and Surridge come on.
The latter was once again deadly when presented with a chance. He only needed one, and he took it.
Surridge arrived at the City Ground in January with a few question marks and raised eyebrows, having struggled at Stoke City. He has the makings of being a good signing, though. He doesn't need asking twice to find the back of the net.
If only goal-machine Ryan Yates had managed to follow suit. It would have been thoroughly deserved; he was outstanding throughout.
'If Yatesy scores, we're in the sea,' boomed the away end, having already belted out several renditions of 'we all live in a world of Ryan Yates'. That would have been some sight...
Key players back
Grabban's return is a huge boost at a crucial time. As is having Scott McKenna back several weeks earlier than expected. Both played their part in a very good team performance.
McKenna's availability allowed Cooper to revert to three at the back, after going with a four against Liverpool. A shout-out to Tobias Figueiredo, too, for his contribution in that - the Portuguese has been excellent since coming into the side, and he was again in the north west.
There's no doubt McKenna is a class act. With the head coach encouraging his defenders to push forward, he has thrived on that responsibility. It was a terrific assist for Surridge's goal. He's a reassuring presence in the back line, too.
At the other end of the pitch, Grabban looked sharp. He did have the ball in the back of the net, only to fall foul of the offside flag.
The Reds have got two of their four key absentees back just when they needed them. And with a hectic few weeks, that bolsters squad numbers, too.
Keeper conundrum
Chopping and changing goalkeepers too much is generally a big no-no. That leaves Cooper with a big decision to make for the remaining matches.
He was quite coy when asked whether it was a case of having a clear No.1 and No.2. There certainly isn't much to choose between Ethan Horvath and Brice Samba.
Horvath was back on the bench after a late return from international duty, coupled with the effects of jet-lag and a significant time difference. He'd more than proved worthy of keeping his spot before that, though. That form had made it difficult for the manager to bring back Samba after his suspension.
And now Samba has done his best to give Cooper another headache. He made some decent saves against Blackpool and has come to his team's rescue many times before.
The competition is perhaps helping to get the best out of both. Having two shot-stoppers pretty much neck-and-neck is a great asset, but also a significant dilemma for the manager.
