Newcastle winning in the FA Cup, a smiling Mike Ashley and even Joelinton scored - this really was a strange night at St James’ Park.
Ashley was here for the first time this season ahead of his belated January transfer summit with Steve Bruce. The owner - a reluctant spender - could well be asking the head coach if there is a need for investment after all.
The Magpies scored more than two goals at home for the first time under Bruce as they eased into the fourth round, where another League One opponent awaits in Oxford United.
Win that home tie and they will be in the last 16 of the competition for the first time since 2006. Ashley, incidentally, took control in 2007 and duly instructed his managers to prioritise survival over silverware.
With Newcastle in the midst of a Premier League run of one point from four matches, however, Ashley could yet get twitchy and put the brakes on ambition.
For now, though, they are dreaming of the fifth round, that is how low the bar has been set in recent years.
After coming very close to going out at Rochdale 10 days ago, Bruce was taking no chances with his team selection.
The only notable absentee was Martin Dubravka, the goalkeeper who saved them at Spotland during a nervy second half. But it said much that deputy Karl Darlow barely had a touch this time.
Newcastle had not lost against lower-league opposition at St James’ in the FA Cup since Bruce’s Birmingham City won 5-1 in 2007. There was no chance of an upset with Rochdale in such a generous mood here.
Visiting centre-back Eoghan O’Connell headed the opening goal into his own net on 17 minutes after throwing himself at Matt Ritchie’s teasing centre.
Lurking behind him was Joelinton, the £40million club-record signing who had gone 20 matches without a goal. On reflection, O’Connell probably could have left it.
Ritchie - making his first start since suffering an ankle injury in August - was again the provider for the second, Matty Longstaff killing his centre before volleying beyond Robert Sanchez.
But there was no need for Ritchie’s wing wizardry for Newcastle’s third on 26 minutes, not with goalkeeper Sanchez gifting possession to Miguel Almiron 12 yards from goal. The Paraguayan duly accepted the invitation to smash his fourth goal in seven games.
And Joelinton brought relief to his drought as he turned in from debutant Tom Allan on 82 minutes before Jordan Williams drove a late consolation.
It was 12 months ago that Ashley, fearing relegation, sanctioned the £21m move for Almiron - then a club record - and Bruce has hinted that he wants something similar before the end of this month.
He needs to be careful, though, his team found goals all too easy to come by here and had the game wrapped up with more than an hour to play.
And it’s not often you can say that about Newcastle United in the FA Cup. It was a strange night indeed.