For a moment, everything seemed to pause as the players settled into position, the stands swelling with restless anticipation, and then it all erupted into motion.
Wigan, chasing started sharply as the ball zipped from foot to foot, crisp passes linking midfield and attack as their opponents played through the press.
But then Wigan upped the Ante.
Will Keane pressed aggressively, forcing a hurried clearance from Boro's back line that drew a roar from the home stands.
The sound carried a pulse, the kind that gave the DW Stadium its bite on days like this.
"Positive start from Wigan," the commentator's voice boomed on the broadcast.
"They're looking to set the tempo early, and that means not letting Middlesbrough breathe."
In the dugout, Dawson stood with his arms folded, face unreadable.
Nolan was just behind him, murmuring something about shape and pressing triggers to the analyst.
The early energy was good, but Dawson knew this Boro side were no strangers to chaos.
