Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Jack, Stirling: Hey Phil. How concerned should I be as a Liverpool fan with the current squad having seen the way they struggled against Newcastle yesterday? There is no doubt we are working on deals, but it doesn't feel like we are working on them in the right positions.

Hi Jack. I think the way in which Newcastle United ran through Liverpool to score their two goals yesterday was worryingly reminiscent of last season. My view is Liverpool should be working to sign a defensively-minded number “6” but it does not seem that Andoni Iraola shares that view, at least not at the moment.

Obviously Bradley Barcola is the main target and that’s an interesting one because basically he is a left-sided wide man, and Liverpool already have options there with Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and new signing Victor Munoz.

I really hope Ngumoha’s progress is not stalled, and Liverpool also need a wide right player to replace Mohamed Salah. That number “6” would be my priority.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Lewis, Oxford: The return of Everton's prodigal giant, Jarrad Branthwaite, is basically a 'new signing'. With him and Pickford at the back, I predict many more clean sheets for Moyes' side. And with competitors dealing with Europe... whisper it quietly... top 7?

Hi Lewis. Branthwaite’s return is hugely significant for Everton and manager David Moyes. Now everyone will hope he has finally put his hamstring injuries behind him. Still think Everton need a right-back (how long has that been the case?) and I would also want a more reliable striker than Beto and Thierno Barry have proved to be so far.

Christian Norgaard will be another key player when he is fit, while Hayden Hackney proved his class in the Championship. I’ve gone for 13th for Everton with the current squad – although opening with a win against Crystal Palace was the perfect start.

Image source, Getty Images

This was the start of a new era at Nottingham Forest, as Oliver Glasner took charge of his first game at the City Ground.

But Leeds United weren't about to make life easy for him, as they matched Forest throughout in an evenly-contested affair.

Debutant Harry Wilson thought he'd given Leeds the lead in the first half, only for it to be ruled out for offside.

However, Leeds weren't to be denied, as a late free-kick from German midfielder Anton Stach gave them all three points to take back to Yorkshire, giving them the perfect platform to kick off their second season back in the top-flight.

The two sides actually meet again at the same venue in the League Cup on Tuesday, but Leeds will surely go into that encounter with more confidence of progressing than their hosts.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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.