With one flick of a forward’s boot any concerns over a lack of goals or the top-four race vanished as the London Stadium rose to salute Andriy Yarmolenko.
The Ukraine international, making his first appearance since the Russian invasion of his homeland, netted West Ham’s winner against Aston Villa.
“A goal for West Ham and Ukraine,” said the stadium announcer, “Andriy Yarmolenko.”
It was a perfect, spine tingling moment for any present as Yarmolenko collapsed to his knees in celebration and could not hold back tears as he returned the applause of those in the stands.
West Ham had given their No7 all the support he asked for, but after more than a fortnight of relentless calls to and from his home, there could have been little better for the 32-year-old than being back on a pitch and making his mark.
The emotion was raw following the goal and at full time, where he could only collapse to the ground once more.
In a purely footballing sense, Yarmolenko’s introduction sparked West Ham’s forwards back into life and will boost confidence ahead of their second leg vs Sevilla this week.
Having been so profligate against both Sevilla and Liverpool, David Moyes saw his attacking options further limited for this one as Nikola Vlasic was absent through injury.
The attacking midfielder was replaced by Said Benrahma, who can be highly frustrating but made a bright start here.
After just four minutes the Algerian showed what he can bring but must do more consistently as some superb footwork opened up space in the Villa penalty area, with his left-footed strike drawing a diving save from Emiliano Martinez in goal.
West Ham had started brightly, with Benrahma and then Pablo Fornals both sending efforts wide before the 10 minute mark, but fears were growing that this would be another case of wasted chances and Lukasz Fabianski had to be alert to force a Philippe Coutinho backheel behind for a corner.
The hosts were dominating possession but struggling to make it count, poor touches from Michail Antonio and wasteful use of the ball from Benrahma putting a stop on too many attacking moves.
Aaron Cresswell carved an opening with a more meat-and-drink cross from deep which Tomas Soucek guided just wide of the near post with a stooping header.
West Ham’s frustration increased after the break when Antonio was forced off injured, while they lost Cresswell not long after - both will be of huge concern ahead of Sevilla.
Antonio’s injury opened the door for Yarmolenko, however. The Ukraine international stepped out to a standing ovation and added creativity to West Ham’s forward play.
After Craig Dawson headed agonisingly over from a corner, Yarmolenko stepped up for his dream return.
Benrahma, more efficient in the second half, worked the space to fizz a ball into the striker, who took one touch to control and then sent the ball past Martinez with an instinctive finish with the outside of his boot.
Yarmolenko had got West Ham going and as Villa pushed forward for a leveller there was more confidence for the Hammers to break themselves. Declan Rice, superb in handling Coutinho for most of the afternoon, barged his way through midfield with a trademark driving run, before playing in Benrahma.
The former Brentford man crossed into space on the right where Pablo Fornals showed the sort of clear thinking which has been absent in recent weeks to fire low and first time past Martinez.
West Ham needed the second too, the hosts forced to hang on through six minutes of added time after Jacob Ramsey had thumped in to bring Villa back within one goal in the 89th minute.
The three points and two goals offer hope in the race for the top four and confidence ahead of Sevilla - but this afternoon was all for Yarmolenko.
