Breakaway holds off peloton on brutal mountain stage

There were also encouraging signs from the younger players. The 19-year-old who came on with 20 minutes to go looked unhurried and composed, and it would be a surprise if a first start were far away.

Whether this result represents a genuine turning point or merely a memorable afternoon will only become clear over the coming weeks. But for one night, at least, nobody was thinking that far ahead.

"I have been doing this for 25 years and I do not think I have ever seen a group of players give that much"

It was, by any measure, an extraordinary afternoon. The stadium had been restless since the first whistle and by the time the decisive moment arrived, deep into stoppage time, the noise had become something physical.

The manager, who had spent most of the second half prowling the touchline, was uncharacteristically emotional afterwards. "I have been doing this for 25 years," he said, "and I do not think I have ever seen a group of players give that much."

The turning point

The statistics tell part of the story. Possession was almost exactly even, but the visitors had 19 shots to eight and hit the woodwork twice. On another day it would have been comfortable. This was not another day.

For the losing side, the questions will now come thick and fast. Three defeats in four is not a crisis, but it is not far from one, and the fixture list over the next month offers little respite.