Parramatta are in the NRL top eight for the first time this season after a Clint Gutherson masterclass inspired a 34-4 win over traditional rivals Manly.
Both sides were without State of Origin stars but fullback Gutherson took it upon himself to lift his troops at CommBank Stadium in front of the club's Old Boys.
His first-half display was pure class and included a try from dummy-half, a try assist for rampaging centre Bailey Simmonson and a crucial ball strip when Manly prop Taniela Paseka was over the line.
He kept that going in the second stanza.
The hosts led 24-4 at the break and when the Eels No.1 set up Simonsson for his second after the break it was game over.
Gutherson also took on the goal-kicking duties from absent NSW half Mitchell Moses and landed five from six against his former club.
The Eels leapfrogged an out-of-sorts Sea Eagles outfit to record their fourth consecutive win and move to 18 points.
Their positive points difference of 104 will keep them inside the top eight by the end of the round no matter what other results unfold.
Eels prop Ofahiki Ogden and lock J'maine Hopgood were both outstanding for the hosts while Simonsson was red-hot in the centres.
Ryan Matterson played No.6 for the first time since 2019, when he was at Wests Tigers, and did a stellar job in partnership with halfback Daejarn Asi who kicked superbly while filling in for Moses
Manly fullback Kaeo Weekes was sent to the sin-bin in the ninth minute for a professional foul on Hopgood as he chased a kick and the Eels scored twice through Ogden and Simonsson.
The Sea Eagles never looked likely from that moment and were rudderless without their skipper Daly Cherry-Evans who is in camp with Queensland.
The Eels forwards were dominant and out-muscled their opponents.
Manly winger Jason Saab had a horror night under the high ball and dropped two bombs in the first half that led to points.
Hopgood was a handful in attack and rock-solid in defence and barged through threadbare Manly line to score in the first half.
The 24-year-old has been close to securing a Queensland jersey and reconfirmed why he has been earmarked as a future Maroons forward.
Manly halfback Jake Arthur played against his former club and father, Eels coach Brad Arthur, but was in a team that was outclassed across the park.
