It's lustre may not be so bright these days, but the traditions and glorious spirit of the FA Cup still shone through in the remarkable performance of Everton yesterday.
The history of this trophy is sprinkled with stirring examples of sides overcoming impossible odds to triumph.
And in their own way, the Goodison club did just that with a victory over Aston Villa that should rank prominently among their more significant achievements.
The bare facts state that the Blues inflicted the first defeat Martin O'Neill has suffered at this ground in 27 years as player and manager, and that in itself is a major feat.
But it barely scratches the surface of this entertaining game.
Everton boss David Moyes admitted afterwards that he thought it would be one game too far even for his resilient side.
He had to contend with an injury list that had him openly wondering if he had enough remaining players to field a full 11..
As it was, he was forced to start with teenagers Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling, and even had to restore 20-year-old Victor Anichebe to the starting line-up despite a little local difficulty recently that suggested the striker may have a short shelf life at Goodison.
At 17, Rodwell would still be in the youth team at any other Premier League club. Not at Everton though, not with the casualty list of an inner city hospital on a Friday night.
Yesterday, he strode around the midfield like a veteran of these encounters, and the youthful ebullience of the three kids was an essential ingredient in Everton's victory.
Even O'Neill was forced to concede that he has rarely seen such spirit or sheer determination in an opponent, though he was also quick to point out that Everton have no shortage of ability either.
That much was evident in the performances of Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta, the game's outstanding performers, and in skipper Phil Neville too, whose experience and sheer professionalism guided the youngsters through this most testing of encounters.
It was a pulsating game that refused to stop for breath, defined by the insane opening few minutes.
Though we may have had a more straightforward encounter had referee Martin Atkinson not shown Villa too much leniency. From Arteta's corner in the fourth minute, Cahill rose unchallenged and sent his header towards the roof of the net.
Stiliyan Petrov handled on the line but Atkinson allowed play to continue and Rodwell rammed the ball into the roof of the net for his first ever goal.
Some would say the official showed common sense in allowing 11 players to remain on the pitch with the goal standing.
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But Everton would surely argue that he should have dismissed Petrov, allowing them to play against 10 men for 86 minutes.
He did show intent and knew the penalty for his actions.
Villa equalised four minutes later when
Petrov of all people delivered a fine pass and Tony Hibbert tripped Gabby Agbonlahor just inside the box. James Milner squeezed the weak penalty under the body of Tim Howard. Oh how the debate raged at that point.
Given the apparent injustice, Everton could have folded, especially with such an inexperienced midfield. But they are made of sturdier stuff here, and they simply rolled up their sleeves and clawed back the lead once more.
It was Anichebe who delivered it. His burst into the box was too quick for the Villa defence and Steve Sidwell could do no more than hack him down. Arteta converted from the spot and justice, of sorts, was served..
Villa are not third in the table for nothing, and going forward they were irresistible at times yesterday.
They couldn't find a finish to match their approach work though, with Agbonlahor heading wide from close range, Sidwell doing something remarkably similar and then John Carew was denied brilliantly by Tim Howard.
That was the moment that turned the match as Everton added a third soon after.
Howard wasn't even fit enough to play after picking up an injury on international duty.
In keeping with the remarkable spirit in this camp, he did so anyway.
Cahill provided the decisive touch with a great finish on 76 minutes after great work from Anichebe and Gosling, who improves with every game.
He dedicated the goal to the victims of Australia's bush fires, a selfless gesture that underlined a selfless performance of tireless endeavour.
Villa will lick their wounds and hope to bounce back in the UEFA Cup this week.
As for Everton, no matter their injury list, they must know that even with such demanding opposition left in this competition, no one would bet against them winning the FA Cup now. The spirit of the competition probably demands it.
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