Jamie Paterson etched his name into Swansea City folklore with a stunning display in his side's demolition job of bitter rivals Cardiff City.
The 29-year-old struck gold with a thumping shot to put the hosts ahead at Swansea.com Stadium before notching assists for Joel Piroe and Jake Bidwell in an emphatic 3-0 victory.
Paterson well and truly endeared himself to the Jack Army by performing the 'swim away' gesture after breaking the deadlock while his guile and vision throughout was key as Swansea controlled proceedings.
His efforts earned him WalesOnline's star man award while he was also named Man of the Match by Sky Sports.
"There's only one, there's been some really good performances, but that man's been brilliant," Lee Hendrie said when announcing the winner of the prize late on in the game.
"He's been at the heart of everything, we touched on it pre-match. Two assists, one goal, take that trophy home and get it on the mantelpiece, you deserve it."
It will be a day Paterson cherishes forever, and one that seemed a near impossibility just a few months ago.
The attacker was released by Bristol City in May but very nearly went into the current campaign without a club, such was the arduous nature of his own summer.
"I'm not going to lie, over the summer was probably the worst time of my career by a country mile. I didn't know where I was going to be," Paterson said shortly after his derby heroics.
"I had a long-term injury last season and I was a bit down in the dumps. I went to Middlesbrough and got injured on the first day, so that didn't help.
"I just look at where I was in the summer, the position I was in. I was at home and not knowing where I was going to be.
"Being injured and out of contract is not a nice place to be – especially when you have been somewhere for five years as I had been at Bristol. I ended up at home with no club and no job.
"It was a strange feeling. I got thrown a lifeline from the gaffer here. I know Luke [Williams] from Bristol City, but, to be honest with you, I didn't know where I was going to end up in the summer.
"I've come in and worked hard every day. I feel fitter now than I ever have, and I'm playing in a team that plays the way I've always wanted to play.
"When I first came in I wasn’t fit. They bore with me and there were a few days when I didn’t train. But they didn’t just rush me into training and into games.
"The first few games, I missed a couple of chances which was frustrating, but I've got fitter and I'm taking my chances now. I'm enjoying it, there'll be ups and downs as always, but I feel like we've got a really good team at the moment, and who knows what we can achieve."
In fear of being left on the scrapheap, Paterson knew from day one that he had to hit the ground running to impress given that he only has a one-year deal with the Swans.
Granted, there is an option for his contract to be extended by 12 months, although the incentive for the man nicknamed 'Pato' is there for all to see.
"Twelve games now, and it's four goals and three assists," said Paterson.
"I set myself a target before the season. I'm happy, I'm enjoying my time in Swansea where I live, probably the happiest I've been.
"It shows on the pitch when you're happy off the pitch. What a game to put in a performance."
Russell Martin has kept a close eye on Paterson for some time, although it was the fortune of some "great timing" that gifted Swansea with the opportunity to bring the playmaker to south Wales.
"He was training at Middlesbrough, they offered him a contract, and it was just timing really," Martin told WalesOnline before the south Wales derby.
"Luke knew him from Bristol City, I spoke to Korey [Smith] about him. Korey spoke really highly about him.
"He's a player I've always liked, so I rung him and he wanted to come down straight away to train.
"It wasn't necessarily that an offer was there, he just wanted to see where he was at physically, and he's just got better and better.
"I really like Pato as a character, he's brilliant around the place. I think he's improved very quickly. He has a brilliant understanding of his role.
"I think he's frustrated he hasn't scored a few more goals, but defensively what he does for the team is really important. He's become a really important player for us, he has real quality and a brilliant mentality."
Having become a hero in SA1, the key now is for the Cardiff triumph to act as a springboard for the remainder of Martin's debut campaign at the club.
Swansea take on West Brom and Birmingham City later this week as they bid to continue their rise up the Championship table having claimed what was only their third league win of the season last time out.
"We know full well we've been playing well. We always knew that this performance would come," admitted Paterson.
"We were quietly confident behind closed doors. The fans have been amazing, they've stuck with us.
"We know we should be higher up the table from our performances. Everyone's stayed positive through a couple of bad results, but I think everyone can see the progression."
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