Everton's 3-0 win over Leeds was best display in the last five years
Frank Lampard had finished shaking hands with players and officials when he turned and marched purposefully towards the Gwladys Street Stand.
This had been the best display Everton's fans had seen at Goodison Park since Manchester City were skewered 4-0 in January 2017, one filled with goals, hard running and commitment, and Lampard was determined to tap into the energy that was surging around the stadium.
So he clapped his hands and shook his right fist in delight as he got closer to the 18-yard line then repeated the action as he walked across the penalty area. The gesture was a spark for those behind the goal, who roared with delight and gave him their noisy approval.
Watching it all unfold, it was impossible not to see a bond forming. Not since the days of David Moyes has a manager got such a reaction from Evertonians and how they have missed having that rapport. Yes, it is early days but the significance of this moment should not be underestimated.
The locals have bought into Lampard in a way they never did with Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce, Marco Silva, Rafa Benitez and even Carlo Ancelotti.
The tone was sent as Everton tore into Leeds from the first minute, when young Anthony Gordon won a tackle.
It meant a fixture that had been causing great anxiety was transformed into a day to savour and it showed that - on this evidence - there is no chance of Everton being relegated if this is what the future looks like under Lampard.
True, Leeds were abject and this joyless offering - two strikes from Rodrigo that hit the bar aside - had Marcelo Bielsa rocking on his haunches in dismay. He tried to change things with a shock half-time substitution of Raphinha but they were never given a hope of settling by the relentless