Everton embarked on their 100th season in the top flight with a fine start going in at half time 1-0 up at home to Tottenham.
They may be the first English club of recent years to achieve that distinction but for the Goodison faithful of recent years a sense of deja vu was unavoidable as they threw it away to inferior opposition and scraped a 2-2 draw.
Before the game 100 Everton legends paraded around the pitch and David Moyes will be hoping teenage sensation Wayne Rooney is a name that can be added to their ranks.
The last time he walked out with the Everton first team at Goodison Park was as a mascot in a Merseyside derby.
But as he made his debut he showed the promise that has had the world of football talking all summer.
His first touch produced a goal effort and he was instrumental in The Blues opening goal.
He produced a fine turn and showed his awareness to pick out Mark Pembridge after Tomasz Radzinski crossed into the box.
Pembridge smashed home his opportunity and Everton dominated the half entirely.
But after the break Tottenham ripped them apart and equalised with a Matthew Etherington goal.
New signing Jamie Redknapp picked him out wide on the left and the 21-year-old blasted past Richard Wright.
Then just one minute after replacing Teddy Sheringham veteran striker Les Ferdinand fired in from 20 yards.
Questions will be asked of Everton's £3.5million goalkeeper as he allowed the ball to pass him, despite getting a hand to it.
But the visitors took the lead and it looked like they had won the match.
Aged just 16 Rooney tired, but still looked Everton's best goal threat until Radzinski popped up with a fine self-created goal.
Picking up a loose ball from Kevin Campbell he powered down the right flank before cutting inside and turning Dean Richards.
With a clear shot at goal the Canadian striker grabbed a draw for his club