The generosity with which Bobby Robson agreed to present Alan Curbishley with a crystal bowl to mark his 500th game in charge at Charlton was typical. So, unfortunately, was that with which his team feebly conceded the match which followed.
Even worse, the Toon Army had travelled expecting nothing more. They have now made the long journey to London 24 times without seeing their side win, and the conversation on the train heading for King's Cross was instructive.
"Getting on for £100 million (sterling) this club has spent on players in the last five years, and for what? Nowt, man." Both maths and sentiment were spot on, and no doubt that unhappy supporter will be less than impressed by the fact the squad flew off for a short break in the Spanish sun last night.
They are unlikely to enjoy it, judging by Robson's furious reaction to their lack of commitment. "We were pathetic, abysmal," raged the splendidly passionate old manager.
Charlton's players are going nowhere, at least not until the end of the season, despite reaching the magic 40 points after putting together a run of seven games without defeat, their best in the top division for half a century.
Instead, Curbishley intends to subject his team to a series of tests to establish how fit they are, leaving them, as PG Wodehouse put it, if not exactly disgruntled, very far from being gruntled.
At least they should have no problems with the tests themselves, judging by the first half at least. Starting with three at the back gave his team a satisfying width going forward, and given their susceptibility to crosses, Newcastle were quickly in trouble.
Richard Rufus and Mathias Svensson had already missed chances when, with half an hour gone, Shay Given pushed Sean Bartlett's header onto the post.
The South African was again involved seven minutes later when the Addicks took a deserved lead. Claus Jensen, hugely influential throughout, found Chris Powell on the left, Bartlett headed the cross back across goal and Svensson volleyed past Given.
A minute later Svensson should have made it two, but, just before half-time, Bartlett did just that. Seeing the linesman's flag, Newcastle stopped playing, allowing Svensson to cross.
The referee Paul Durkin waved play on and the ball reached Bartlett, who turned it in. "Schoolboy stuff. You play to the whistle," fumed Robson. Durkin later confirmed the flag had been for a handball against the Newcastle defender Aaron Hughes .
Despite their relatively lofty league position, no one at Charlton is talking about Europe - well, other than as a holiday destination.
"We've got 11 games left and I've seen teams go 11 games without winning in this division," said Curbishley. It is unlikely to happen to Charlton; this run has been compiled despite a long injurylist.
Several of those players, including the top-scorer Jonatan Johansson and Mark Kinsella are available again. Strength in depth, that's what it's all about.
CHARLTON: Ilic, Rufus, Todd, Fish, Kishishev (Robinson 83), Parker (Kinsella 90), Jensen, Stuart, Powell, Svensson, Bartlett (Johansson 77). Subs Not Used: Brown, Caig. Booked: Parker, Svensson. Goals: Svensson 37, Bartlett 43.
NEWCASTLE: Given, Barton, Marcelino, Hughes, Quinn, Solano (Lua-Lua 73), Acuna (Gallacher 59), Lee (Bassedas 72), Speed, Dyer, Ameobi. Subs Not Used: Griffin, Harper. Booked: Barton.
Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).
