One question in particular put to Queens Park Rangers manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the aftermath of his side’s 6-0 loss showed exactly how superior Newcastle United really were.
Hasselbaink was asked whether, despite letting in six goals, he thought QPR goalkeeper Alex Smithies was their best player on Tuesday night. In truth, he could have been.
Newcastle won 6-0 – their best away win since 1962 – but it could have been more. This sixth successive win and fourth straight clean sheet from Rafa Benitez's side was a statement, to say the least.
Benitez is a manager more used to the Champions League than the Championship on Tuesday nights.