Self-belief was a theme when Leeds United dissected their first FA Cup quarter-final win for 39 years at the London Stadium.
As the sharp end of the season comes closer, what goes on between the ears is ever more important.
If Saturday had been about the impact Manchester City’s imperious FA Cup victory and Arsenal’s messy shock defeat on the Premier League title race, Sunday was a prism to view its relegation battle through.
The line from Leeds was they never doubted themselves, even when seriously putting that belief to the test at West Ham United.
They have reason to believe they can win their semi-final with Chelsea now too.
Stoppage-time goals from Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi resurrected West Ham, and could have killed off Leeds. The hosts had two goals disallowed by video assistant referee Peter Bankes in extra-time and hit the woodwork a third time. When Joel Piroe began the penalty shoot-out with a lame kick saved by 20-year-old substitute goalkeeper Finlay Herrick minutes into his first senior football above Conference level, things looked grim.
But Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson, Willy Gnonto and Pascal Struijk netted, and with Lucas Perri saving from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo, Leeds are heading to Wembley.
RELIEF: Leeds United fans and staff celebrate in front of the away end at the London Stadium (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)placeholder image
RELIEF: Leeds United fans and staff celebrate in front of the away end at the London Stadium (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
"Never," said Struijk when asked if he thought they had blown it. "Even when it's 2-2, you're still drawing.
"I wasn't really thinking about losing and we showed great composure to take it over the line."
Daniel Farke sang the same song when the question was put to him.
DISASI DISASTER: Axel Disasi beats Pascal Struijk to the ball to make it West Ham United 2, Leeds United 2 (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)placeholder image
DISASI DISASTER: Axel Disasi beats Pascal Struijk to the ball to make it West Ham United 2, Leeds United 2 (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
His pre-extra-time message was "just relax," said Struijk. "Take a deep breath, go again. We'd played really good football, we just needed that composure we had in the first 85 minutes."
Away fans tend to be slower to bale out, albeit not the Liverpool fans at Eastlands on Saturday.
The 9,000-strong end which shared a moment with the players when they laid a wreath to Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight a day before the 26th anniversary of their deaths in Istanbul, was pretty full after the shoot-out.
"When you can see that relief from everyone from the pressure we've been through over 120 minutes, sometimes to win it this way might even be better," said Struijk.
SPOT ON: Pascal Struijk takes Leeds United's winning penalty in the FA Cup quarter-final shoot out (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)placeholder image
SPOT ON: Pascal Struijk takes Leeds United's winning penalty in the FA Cup quarter-final shoot out (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Struijk and Farke differed on what it might mean for the Premier League relegation battle, where West Ham are four points behind Leeds, but can reduce that to one by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday before Leeds play at Manchester United on Monday.
Leeds are back at the London Stadium on the final day.
"We were focussed on Sunday's game and Sunday's game only," insisted Struijk. "The FA Cup's a different kind of competition."
But Farke stressed the benefits for "the soft skills – confidence and belief and to know how it feels to play in a pressure situation."
And having taken four points off Chelsea in the league this season should mean Leeds should have nothing to fear in the semi-final.
"It shows confidence that we can go into this game knowing that we've beaten them already this season," said a smiling Struijk.
NEVER IN DOUBT: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke at full-time (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)placeholder image
NEVER IN DOUBT: Leeds United manager Daniel Farke at full-time (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
"For me, especially since I missed out on the first time (Leeds' Championship play-off final defeat to Southampton two years ago), it's a great feeling. I'm very excited, and to do it for the club."
Leeds lost Joe Rodon and Anton Stach to injury and exposed how poor they are at seeing out victories.
"Today is a sign of how we are but also how we should be because we are not perfect," argued Farke.
At a club not immune to woe-is-me, it is a good mentality to have.