This felt like a celebration of the past as well as a glimpse of the future for Newcastle.
It was an afternoon when St James' Park bid farewell to stalwarts Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth, who are leaving the club following the expiry of their contracts this summer.
Trippier was saluted by the Wor Flags supporters' group before his final home game with a banner which fittingly read: "Forever a Newcastle United legend. Thank you for the memories."
Such was Trippier's impact, after swapping life in the Champions League with Atletico Madrid for an immediate relegation battle with Newcastle, in 2022, it is hard to think of a more transformational signing in the club's recent history.
However, this win will have also whetted the appetite of supporters for what's to come after a bruising domestic season.
Newcastle have struggled for goals following the painful departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer.
But Eddie Howe may have found a belated solution up front in William Osula, who has scored six goals in his last seven league games.
The red-hot Dane is in the form of his life and will not want this marathon season to end.
