Swansea City rounded off 2022 with a thumping 4-0 win over Watford.
Joel Piroe bagged a brace while Liam Cullen and Joel Latibeaudiere also got on the scoresheet as Russell Martin's men ended an eight-game winless run in emphatic fashion.
Here are the key talking points to emerge from the game at the Swansea.com Stadium.
The parties return
Joel Piroe had very few touches in the opening half an hour or so and found himself dropping deep in a bid to get involved in proceedings.
But, to his credit, he remained disciplined to be in the right place to make the run to latch on to what was a sublime through ball from Liam Cullen to drill home his seventh goal of the season which set Swansea on their way to what was a stunning victory.
Not content with just the one effort, Piroe doubled his tally for the night in the second-half with the kind of finish that supporters had become so accustomed to last season.
The Dutchman was clearly full of confidence. Shifting the ball from his left foot to his right and then back again in the blink of an eye opened up a crucial yard of space. He needed no invitation to take a shot at goal from that point.
Piroe coolly drilled into the bottom corner to take his tally of goals for the season to eight in what was a top display from the Swans' frontmen, and Martin revealed the 23-year-old has been keen to operate alongside Cullen having trained well with the academy product.
"Joel Piroe actually said to me this week 'Liam Cullen is good for me'," revealed Martin. "I think you can see why and you can understand why. They have a really nice connection already and hopefully they can keep on building that."
Farewell or a lightbulb moment?
Russell Martin pulled no punches when making pointed comments about the impressive contributions of Liam Cullen as he axed Jamie Paterson and Michael Obafemi.
Cullen produced an excellent display which included a goal and an assist as Swansea returned to winning ways by recording their joint-highest win under the current coaching staff. And it was his comments on the endeavour of his troops that were telling.
“Take Stevie [Steven Benda] out of it, we had 10 players we trusted and give absolutely everything, people on the bench we trusted to run and give us absolutely everything. That’s all we ask for," said Martin.
On Cullen specifically, Martin commented: "He's been patient, he's persevered. He deserves his chance on the pitch because he's come on and had an impact in the last couple of games.
"It's about his behaviour every day. He's all in. He trains so hard and leaves nothing on the pitch. He's present, gives us everything he's got and that's really important. It's been really important to know you have people who are willing to go through a bit of pain for you."
With the likes of Paterson and Obafemi omitted from the squad completely, Cullen's impact can now serve as either a lightbulb moment or the final nail in the coffin for their Swans careers.
The reactions of Paterson and Obafemi to this latest bout of adversity will prove telling, although it's hard to feel that - given Martin's comments - that there really is a route back.
Asked specifically about Obafemi, Martin said: “The relationship needs to be reciprocal. We give the players everything we possibly can and we still wonder if that’s enough.
“But energy is not limitless, it is not boundless. At some point it needs to be reciprocal and at some point it’s better investing it in people who really want it.”
Contract concerns swatted aside
Ryan Manning and Joel Latibeaudiere both put their contract situations firmly to the back of their minds to fully focus on delivering the goods against Watford.
The pair - who occupied the full-back berths in a back four during the triumph over Slaven Bilic's outfit - are both out of contract in the summer and are yet to sign new deals having been offered fresh terms by the club.
It could well leave Swansea short in that area after January should either or even both player leaves, or indeed in the summer transfer window.
However, their commitment certainly could not be questioned - with both producing fine displays as the Swans swatted the Hornets aside. Manning's set-piece deliveries impressed throughout while he made five tackles and two interceptions in what was a top defensive effort.
As for Latibeaudiere, he was solid throughout and made one key pass as well as registering an assist and scoring his first league goal for the club.
Head coach Martin is hugely fond of the duo and will no doubt keep working hard on persuading the pair to extend their stays with the club. But, whatever unfolds, the 36-year-old can take comfort from the fact that both Manning and Latibeaudiere have shown true professionalism amid what is clearly a sticky situation off the pitch.
READ MORE: The sublime Swansea City v Watford player ratings as strikers immense amid standing ovation
Loan duo update
Russell Martin confirmed Fin Stevens has been recalled by Brentford while Armstrong Oko-Flex could return to West Ham in the New Year.
The pair joined Swansea on season-long loan deals in the latter stages of the summer transfer window but have found regular game time hard to come by. Stevens has made just five appearances while Oko-Flex, despite making a number of appearances off the bench, has started just once for the club.
Stevens will head back to Brentford in the coming days while Oko-Flex - who was left out of the squad for the win over Watford - could well go back to West Ham in the very near future.
"Armstrong's a different case really," explained Martin. "Fin Stevens has been called back by Brentford. We've had chats with West Ham, Armstrong and his agent recently.
"We're not quite sure what's going to happen there. I think with that uncertainty, whether they call him back or not, is probably not conducive to him being in a good place to give us everything (against Watford).
"He's a great kid, we've really enjoyed having him so we'll have to wait and see."
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