It was the John Hume show at the Guildhall in Derry where the count for Foyle took place. The SDLP leader swept to victory on the first count, topping the poll with almost two quotas.
Mr Mark Durkan, who was celebrating his birthday, and Mr John Tierney confirmed an SDLP hat-trick in Foyle.
Sinn Fein's Mr Mitchel McLaughlin was successful on the second count, and Ms Mary Nelis took a second seat for the party. Speaking to journalists and supporters after his own victory, Mr McLaughlin was greeted with cheers when he announced: "The bad news is that England have just scored, but the good news is that Sinn Fein's march continues".
He added: "I think there is a tide of change, not just within the body politic, but within nationalism. This is due, in considerable measure, to the hard work done by the party and the thousands and thousands of people who look to Sinn Fein for political leadership," he said.
However, he expressed concern at Mr Trimble's "difficult election" and said it was crucial for the Assembly that he offer strong leadership to unionists.
"All of us that want to see new institutions emerging have to be seriously concerned at the lack of confidence in the unionist leadership. If they had been more assertive about the role they have embraced, they would have performed better," he said. "If Mr Trimble continues to pander to right-wing unionism, he is playing into the hands of the No camp."
The DUP candidate, Mr William Hay, received the second-highest number of first-preference votes and finally won the battle with the UUP's Mr Jackie Allen following the eighth count at about 10.45 p.m. on Friday.
Mr Hay was greeted with boos from other parties' activists when he spoke about the role he would play in the Assembly. "I know the task that is left before me going before the Assembly is to represent the people in this city who feel isolated and discriminated against and who feel that, as a unionist family, they don't belong in this city."