The narrative in the run-up to Aston Villa's game against Everton was about Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, midfield rivals as players, facing each other as managers for the first time.
It may only be two games into the season but there is a sense that Lampard and Gerrard have plenty to prove as they look to establish themselves as Premier League managers.
Beforehand, the pressure was arguably greater on Gerrard. Last season ended disappointingly with just two wins from Villa's final 10 games and this season got off to an equally poor start with a loss at Bournemouth.