Daryl Murphy was warmly welcomed back to St James's Park, despite his Mackem connections ... because he never let us down last season when he was called upon.
Murphy, sold to Forest last month, was a key figure in the second half of Newcastle's Championship-winning campaign.
And fans applauded the 34-year-old on to the pitch in extra-time.
Asked if he was pleased by his reception, Murphy told NUFC TV: "Of course I was.
"I want to thank the fans, because I think I said when I left, they were brilliant with me from start to finish.
"They wished me all the best. I did what we asked of me when I came into the team, and always gave 100%. I think they just appreciated that."