Chris Brunt admitted his return to the international scene after 13 months away was virtually perfect as he starred in Northern Ireland's 4-0 triumph over Azerbaijan in Belfast.
Knee ligament damage had kept West Brom's Brunt, 31, out from February to October, meaning he was restricted to a watching brief at Euro 2016, but he made up for lost time with a fine performance as Michael O'Neill's men moved second in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Brunt defied an early head injury and demonstrated his brilliance from set-piece situations by delivering the ball which Gareth McAuley nodded home, and he was credited with rounding off the night by scoring the fourth, though his captain Steven Davis may have got a decisive touch before the ball nestled in the net.