The season could have been over at 9:50 last night, but the campaign has been given a lift after six months of nothingness under Big Sam.
Packing the midfield with class players was pointless when he used the long-ball to try to cancel them out of the game. Now we have a belief!
Pearson: "I don't think you can question the players' commitment.
"After Saturday, I suppose, more than anything there was a question mark over the players, so for them to go out and turn in a performance like that was good. I'm pleased for them.
"It would have been nice to keep a clean sheet, but the most important thing for us was to get through the tie, and we've done that with a bit of style, and I'm particularly pleased for the players.
"Whatever happens now, we can move on.
"All that's important is that we're in the next round. Whatever the factors are outside of that, I'm not really bothered.
"What's important for me is that the players have put in a very good performance. These sort of eras are difficult for players and staff alike, and a new era starts on Thursday morning.
"It's impossible to be immune from what was going on, as it was coming from every angle."