They love a No.9 up in Newcastle. Any football fans know that, surely.

The socially-distanced executive suite (rather than press box) from which I saw this most stylish of Albion wins in this strange time bore testament to that.

The photos on the wall included great shots of Toon heroes Alan Shearer and Malcolm Macdonald celebrating goals.

The Argus:

That’s fair enough – but we are quite partial to seeing No.9 score goals in other parts of the country too.

So no better place for Neal Maupay to open his account in his new number. Not so much SuperMac as SuperMau.

Or to score, inside seven minutes, his first double for two years to hand Albion a lead they never looked like letting slip.

This was high class from the Seagulls – and highly disciplined.

It was of course, for an hour, the Tariq Lamptey show.

READ MORE: Lamptey thanks boss after impresive display

He won the penalty from which Maupay set the ball rolling.

He was at the origin of the second goal, tucked away from a Leandro Trossard cross.

He dazzled going forward and did his bit at the other end before limping off with a knock.

But this was a team display – and the goal which rounded it off summed that up.

Possession won in the Newcastle half, numerous passes going right to left to back to right to front.

And then Maupay had the chance to do what all good No.9s love – complete his hat-trick.

No away player has apparently done that at St James’ Park since Somen Tchoyi for West Brom in May, 2011.

That he didn’t – and instead looked up and supplied Aaron Connolly - was to his credit.

Connolly’s curler meant he has scored in successive away games, across two seasons and both from Maupay passes.

The debate as to whether Albion still need a new striker will go on.

Tchoyi’s name will remain in the impressive factsheet the media are handed when they arrive at Newcastle.

And Albion fans who were around last year will know a 3-0 win in the first away game does not mean the season will be plain sailing.

But this was more impressive from Potter’s men than the opening day at Watford last term. More comprehensive.

Ten out of ten for team performance? Not quite. That would be perfection. But it was very good.

Maybe worth a revered nine!