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The start of the Pierre Sage era didn't get off to a great start, did it?

Palace were beaten 2-0 away at Everton despite being in the ascendacy before the home side scored the opening goal of the game.

Jean-Philippe Mateta had chances to score in the first half but failed to find the back of the net, and now may be on his way out of the club.

The forward is arguing the remainder of his Crystal Palace contract is invalid and has taken his case to Fifa.

Add to that Palace were without last season's top scorer Ismaila Sarr, who is injured and linked with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray, and it's clear Palace have a lot to do to turn things around already.

It was a weekend of firsts in the Premier League.

And not all of them went as well as hoped... Let's have our next loser.

This weekend, there were seven managers taking charge of their first game at their new clubs, which beats the previous record of six (2016-17, 2012-13, and 1995-96), with two more - Alvaro Arbeloa at Fulham and Xabi Alonso at Chelsea - to come later this evening.

Five of those managers - Arbeloa, Alonso, Matthias Jaissle, Pierre Sage, and Marco Rose - were managing their first-ever Premier League game, with Hull City's Sergej Jakirovic also making his Premier League bow.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Chris, Tilbury: Hi Phil, after the performances put on by two of the three promoted teams and the other team had the worst fixture possible, which three established teams do you think should be worried?

Bit early for teams to be worried, Chris, so I would answer you this way. I think the wins and performances from Hull City and Ipswich Town will give them huge confidence rather than worrying any other teams. And let’s face it, Coventry City had a huge task at Arsenal. That loss won’t define them this season.

I predicted the three promoted teams to go back down, so I can’t change my mind after one game.

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The dawn of a new era?

After surviving the drop by the skin of their teeth on the final day in May, things looked to be settling down in north London, where Roberto De Zerbi has had a long summer to bed in his plans for the team.

He's been given a huge backing by the club, spending big to bring in Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke in what has been an active transfer window for them.

But it was too easy for Brentford to get the better of them at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.

Twelve minutes in, the hosts took the lead through Keane Lewis-Potter and Spurs - who failed to win a single game after falling behind last season - again, could not recover.

Brentford strolled to a 3-0 win as home fans sang about Spurs' relegation.

Watch highlights of Brentford's 3-0 win against a woeful Spurs, as Roberto de Zerbi's new-look team got off to a dismal start.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Jeuel, London: With Villa losing their spine and Newcastle doing the same, who is the next team to step up and disturb the big six for the UCL spots? My bet would be on Brentford. They just keep getting better and have gems in Kayode and Sangare plus experience.

Hello, Jeuel. I was going to say Spurs, but having watched Brentford batter them on Saturday night you might be right, if they can maintain that form.

And, on that evidence, they have found a gem in Sangare. He looked like the £100m player not Sandro Tonali.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford only missed out on a European spot on goal difference last season, meanwhile Spurs survived relegation on the final day, so in theory, Brentford should've been the favourites coming into this game.

However, after spending nearly £250m on new signings, expectations have been raised significantly in North London - but the Bees clearly didn't read the script.

They looked slick, energetic, and well-organised, registering 26 shots to Spurs' nine, with new signing Mamadou Sangare impressing on debut.

He set up the first goal for Keane Lewis-Potter, before Vitaly Janelt capitalised on a rebound to make it two, and Michael Kayode completed the scoring shortly after the restart.

It should've been four when Brentford were given a penalty not long after Kayode's goal, but Igor Thiago smashed the ball against the post.

No matter, this was a convincing win for Keith Andrews' side, who have their sights on a first-ever European qualification come May.

Talking of Brentford...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

The biggest loser - and you cannot say this very often - was Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.

Not only did he see his team 4-0 down and reduced to ten man at Brighton, he then had to face questions about the absence of Ollie Watkins, his silence suggesting the England striker had downed tools amid talk of a move to Saudi Arabia.

Never write off Emery though, he's a winner.

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Brighton's first half display against Aston Villa was a dream.

The Seagulls dominated the Europa League holders and scored four goals inside 31 minutes.

Two of them came from one of their own, Jack Hinshelwood, both within a minute of each other, as he became the only player (so far) to score more than once on the opening weekend.

The Worthing lad is currently the Premier League's top goalscorer.

Brighton took their foot off the gas in the second half, but the damage had been done.

The emphatic result will give them the world of confidence as they head into the second leg of their UEFA Conference League playoff with Norwegian outfit Tromso on Thursday, after the first leg finished goalless.

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On the other side of the coin, we've another nominee for the weekend's top winners.