Everton fell to a frustrating defeat to Aston Villa despite a late rally in which they came close to an equaliser.
Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia put the hosts 2-0 ahead before ex-Blue Lucas Digne was responsible for Everton's first goal of the season as he bundled into his own net under pressure from Alex Iwobi. The visitors were once again missing Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose knee injury on the eve of the new campaign has had a significant impact on Frank Lampard's plans.
The injury situation worsened when Abdoulaye Doucoure suffered a hamstring issue but, despite struggling to create clear opportunities, the late introduction of new signing Amadou Onana sparked a frantic conclusion to the game that almost saw Everton find an equaliser. Now the dust has settled on the trip to Villa Park, here are some moments from the game you may have missed.
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Promise from Nathan Patterson
Nathan Patterson continued his positive start to life in the Premier League at Villa. Injury prevented the 20-year-old from making an appearance in the league after his January arrival last season. But with Seamus Coleman recovering from surgery over the summer, the Scotland international played throughout pre-season and has started the first two games of the new campaign.
Against Chelsea he drove forward to create a good chance for Dele Alli as Everton sought an equaliser in that game. At Villa he was part of a bright start to the second half, though one the Blues could not capitalise on. Patterson produced a lovely turn to beat former Everton defender Lucas Digne - whose departure paved the way for the arrival of the Scot and Vitalii Mykolenko - near the touchline. The piece of skill forced Digne to bundle over the Everton player, who saw his counterpart booked for the foul, which gave Everton a free kick in a dangerous area.
It was another example of what Patterson can provide and a reminder of the potential among the young stars that Lampard can harness should he be able to strengthen in key areas.
Vitalii Mykolenko's big hugs and gratitude to fans
Mykolenko has quickly become a popular figure at Everton and it is easy to see why. The Ukraine international has shown inspirational resolve as he has settled into Premier League life amid the Russian invasion of his homeland. It was a poignant moment when he led the Blues out as captain during the fundraising 'match for peace' against Dynamo Kyiv last month.
As Everton's players completed their warm up before the Villa game Mykolenko stopped and gave debutant Conor Coady a massive hug. He then went to each of the other four starting defenders, who had been doing a passing drill with him, and did the same. After the sides then came out for the match it was Mykolenko who was the first to go over to applaud the away supporters as he continues to become a favourite among team-mates and fans.
Alex Iwobi at the heart of Everton's better moments - again
Alex Iwobi once again started in the centre of midfield as injuries forced Lampard to persist with the makeshift pairing of the Nigerian and Doucoure. That only lasted for just over half an hour as Doucoure became the latest Everton midfielder to suffer an issue, the 29-year-old pulling up with an injury to his hamstring. Iwobi is too versatile to be considered as playing out of position - it was his heroics as a right-wingback that were crucial last season, and it is his efforts in central midfield that are helping Lampard now.
Once again, Iwobi was at the heart of many of the better passages of play for Everton. He could so easily have had an assist too. It was his inch-perfect cross that fell to Demarai Gray just yards out from the Villa goal but the ball was gathered by Emiliano Martinez after the Everton attacker attempted to control it rather than shoot. Digne's own goal was due to the pressure Iwobi placed on him as the Blues star burst into the box in the hope of getting on the end of Onana's cross. On Sunday morning, Iwobi wrote on Twitter: "Reflect, Analyse, Go Again…" There is no analysis of this Everton squad that does not conclude he is pivotal to the team.
The centre-back injury curse threatened to strike once more
Much of the hype in the build-up to this game surrounded the two managers. Lampard and Steven Gerrard history as domestic rivals and international team-mates dominated the pre-match discussions with both managers being clear that they felt a huge degree of respect for their opposite number. This was the first time they faced each other as managers and both spent much of the game standing in their technical areas, Lampard in his club tracksuit and Gerrard in a shirt and tie.
On the pitch there was another important narrative unfolding - the Everton debut of centre back Conor Coady. Talks with the 29-year-old had begun before the season opener that saw the Blues lose two of their three starting centre-backs - Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina - to injury. Their misfortune was the latest to befall Everton's centre-backs after injuries in that position severely undermined efforts to avoid relegation last season.
Coady's obvious value increased further after those injuries as an England international who had played 196 of the last 198 league games offered robustness at centre-back. The sight of him on the ground and receiving treatment for a head injury understandably caused concern - increased when he was replaced minutes later - that Everton is the subject of a centre-back curse. After the game Lampard offered some reassurance, though, saying Coady had suffered a bang to the head and, after his loan deal hit some of his training schedule, a bit of cramp. Fortunately, he said, there was "no problem".
More evidence Anthony Gordon is most effective when running at people
While Anthony Gordon was the main leader of the forward line, he often had to drop deep to try and influence the game. When he did, Everton supporters were given a glimpse of what his strength is - running at defenders with the ball at his feet rather than having to challenge centre-backs in the air or with balls played into him. He was brought down after a mazy run that saw him beat two Villa players from picking the ball up around the halfway line and was unlucky not to win a free kick after he knocked the ball past Tyrone Mings.
Gordon had collected the ball on the halfway line and surged down the right wing towards the Villa defender. In trying to pass him he was caught on the chest by Mings' outstretched arm but appeals for a free kick were waved away, leaving Lampard infuriated.
Gordon had an impressive breakthrough season last year. He is playing out of position as Everton deal with the injury to striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. This match was further evidence that, in order to get the best out of him, the Blues need to find a way to play him deeper.
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