The eyes of the Premier League big boys fixated on Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium. While supporters across the land nursed a Christmas hangover, rival clubs hoped Eddie Howe and his team were suffering a post-World Cup one.
It took just two minutes for that optimism to be obliterated.
The unprecedented winter hiatus did, in all honesty, come at a bad time for everyone on Tyneside. Newcastle had won six games in a row across all competitions heading into the World Cup break.
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On Boxing Day against Leicester City, Howe and Co picked up exactly where they left off to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games. Just one controversial defeat to Liverpool and 11 goals conceded means the Magpies boast the steeliest defence in the division.
The pre-match question was whether the month-long break would stop Newcastle in their tracks. After just one minute, when Chris Wood converted with ease from the spot, those concerns were quickly put to bed. Miguel Almiron's splendid goal four minutes later made it 2-0 and you could have been mistaken for thinking the league was never placed on pause.
Howe himself admitted after the game there were internal fears about whether his squad could continue their rich vein of form. Forever the perfectionist, while everyone thought they had witnessed the perfect performance, he also demanded more from his players.
At this moment, it became clear Newcastle - now sitting second in the table - were never going to slip up. Complacency is a word that simply does not register to a workaholic like Howe.
Supporters admire their manager for Howe's endeavour just as much as his statesmanlike persona or attack-minded philosophy. That work rate is embodied by his players every week, with Newcastle placing second - behind Tottenham Hotspur - for distance run this season.
As someone born in April 1997, three months after Kevin Keegan’s explosive exit, it is impossible to remember a more coherent, tactically-astute Toon side. Sir Bobby Robson was an excellent motivator and man manager, Rafa Benitez could organise a robust defence, but Howe has Newcastle reaching unprecedented heights. Every player knows his role.
The 45-year-old’s tenure on Tyneside is a perfect marriage, with the Magpies ahead of their post-takeover schedule due to his heroics - and supporters recognising that. Premier League heavyweights - who face European distractions in the coming months - received an unwanted late Christmas present: a statement of intent by Newcastle United.
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