Everton had two new summer signings making their debut from the start, a January transfer being given his Premier League bow, and a substitute even playing his first top division minutes for his new club.
In the directors box, there was another prospective arrival taking in the stadium for the first time. Amadou Onana was all smiles in and around half time as he posed for pictures with supporters ahead of what was his imminent announcement as a new Blues star.
But, in the end, Frank Lampard's side didn't have the transfer that they really needed. The lack of an attacking option in this match was hugely evident as they played out what was something of a toothless 108 minutes (thanks to long stoppages) at Goodison Park.
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Everton supporters have been desperate for the recruitment team to find a forward option throughout the transfer window, and that need was only heightened when Dominic Calvert-Lewin's expected six-week injury was confirmed earlier in the week. After Richarlison's departure, it's quite clear they're lacking someone to put the ball in the back of the net.
Even Salomon Rondon was suspended for this match and, while many expected Dele to take up a false nine role, he was on the bench watching on from the sidelines. Anthony Gordon, Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil were instead given the responsibility to create and score goals for the hosts.
Try as they might, though, they couldn't. It was always going to be a tough task against a strong visiting defence, further bolstered by the addition of Kalidou Koulibaly over the summer.
But it's becoming a burning question now. Everton need goals in this side, and it's starting to become clear that the current squad of players need help in achieving that.
Gordon had his half chances, but they all came to his head and they were squandered. Dele came on in the second period and should have taken a first-time shot inside the box after fantastic work from Nathan Patterson, but he took too much time in possession and the opportunity was gone.
Rondon might be back in the side for the next match, but it's fair to say that his record isn't exactly prolific either since his arrival at Goodison Park. This is where Everton are getting rather desperate for a solution in the transfer window.
Throughout last term when Calvert-Lewin was out of the side, the problem was the same. Of course those forward options will pop up with the odd goal, but it's certainly not to the level that the outgoing Richarlison managed throughout his four years on Merseyside.
Should that mean Everton panic to get someone over the line before the Aston Villa match next weekend? Of course not.
Nobody wants to see the Blues on the back foot and pursuing a player that they wouldn't in normal circumstances, the right profile still needs to be prioritised. But, it's similarly clear that time is of the essence.
Onana was sat in the stands, potentially Idrissa Gueye will soon follow. But, neither of those are the goalscorers Everton need.
With a starting striker in this match, things could have been different from the Blues, a solid performance could have been turned into at least a point. Maybe the club can't afford to let many more of those opportunities pass them by.
Fans leaving the stadium would have all been saying the same thing to each other. Where is Everton's new striker?
