The birthday boy cut a reserved figure. He pumped his fists a little and shook hands with those in close proximity but that was about it.
To look at Manuel Pellegrini, you would not have detected that he had got the gift he wanted for turning 65. Elsewhere, it was a different story. High-fives were exchanged; those who had run themselves to a standstill were wrapped in bear hugs.
West Ham, after what seemed an eternity, had finally registered their first Premier League success of the season and they did it with some style, too, capitalising on Everton's wretched afternoon to shred their hosts and lift themselves off the bottom.