The Championship season got underway this weekend, providing us with goals, drama and talking points aplenty.
Newly-promoted MK Dons made an impressive start to life in the second tier by putting four past Rotherham United, and Charlton Athletic were also quick off the mark against a Queens Park Rangers side in transition.
Elsewhere, fellow relegated sides Burnley and Hull City had mixed success - the Clarets battling to a 1-1 draw away at Leeds United, while Steve Bruce inspired his men to a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Huddersfield Town.
Following the opening weekend of action, Sports Mole chooses its best XI, as well as highlighting the biggest numpty and best goal.
Tomasz Kuszczak (Birmingham City)
We may only be one weekend in, but already a number of contenders for the Save of the Season award have come forward. Dorus de Vries in particular produced a stunning stop to deny Tomer Hemed a debut goal, yet Kuszczak's late penalty heroics earn him a place in this side.
Chris Baird (Derby County)
Handed the Derby captaincy this summer, Baird made an impressive enough start to life at his new club. His hard work also allows Tom Ince to concentrate on the attacking side of things further forward.
James Tarkowski (Brentford)
Conceded two goals, granted, but the Bees defender can be let off due to his ability up the other end of the field. Having already claimed an assist, Tarkowski bundled home a 95th-minute equaliser against Ipswich Town. That said, he must improve at the back or else he faces the prospect of being ousted in the heart of defence.
John Welsh (Preston North End)
Simon Grayson set his side out with a clear gameplan to restrict promotion-backed Middlesbrough at Deepdale in the weekend's concluding fixture, and they did exactly that to claim a share of the spoils. Welsh was key to this ploy, remaining solid in midfield while also dropping into the backline to see Boro fail to get a single shot on target.
Morgan Fox (Charlton Athletic)
A clean sheet against QPR, combined with an impressive individual goal, ensured that Fox got his season off to a stunning start at the Valley.
David Cotterill (Birmingham City)
There had been talk over the summer that the Wales international could be on his way out of the club, but having kept hold of their man - for now, at least - Birmingham are reaping the rewards. Cotterill scored from a free kick to open his account, before carving out the opening for Jon Toral to secure the points against Reading.
Sam Clucas (Hull City)
The summer signing from Chesterfield showed that he can more than hold his own at this level, tapping home from close range to get the Tigers up and running at the KC Stadium. Should Clucas continue his development, the Premier League surely beckons - with or without Hull.
Kazenga LuaLua (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Often a frustrating figure out wide, LuaLua was very much the go-to man for Brighton in their curtain-raiser against Nottingham Forest. Having already tried his luck a few times, the former Newcastle United man finally got the better of De Vries to open the scoring in this 2015-16 campaign.
Benik Afobe (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
One of the hottest talents outside of the Premier League right now, Wanderers could face a tough task keeping hold of the prolific frontman for the remainder of the window. Afobe impressed at both MK Dons and Wolves last campaign, becoming the leading scorer in England's top four divisions. He wasted little time getting off the mark for this season, firing home inside 30 minutes away at Blackburn Rovers.
Tony Watt (Charlton Athletic)
The man most famous for scoring against Barcelona in the Champions League could play a big part in Charlton's outside promotion hopes. The ex-Celtic forward found the net five times upon joining last term, but was omitted from the starting lineup by coach Guy Luzon on Saturday. That did not stop him ending the day on a high, however, as his neat finish opened the scoring for Athletic.
Sam Gallagher (MK Dons)
Karl Robinson pulled off a real coup in landing Gallagher on loan from Southampton. While the youngster is still untested, he has plenty of potential which is already starting to shine through. The Englishman had two assists to show for his hard work, though he perhaps should have helped himself to a goal at the end of the first half. Nonetheless, a great platform to build on for both him and free-scoring Dons.
Numpty of the Week
Simon Moore (Cardiff City): Should David Marshall depart for West Bromwich Albion, as is looking increasingly likely, then Moore will be given a permanent berth in the Cardiff goal. His howler almost cost the Bluebirds against Fulham, though, as he parried the ball onto the bar for Matt Smith to head home the rebound. Thankfully for the City stopper, Craig Noone's stunner levelled things up late on.
Goal of the Week
Mirco Antenucci (Leeds United) vs. Burnley
That aforementioned Noone strike was only bettered this weekend by Antenucci's belter against Burnley in Saturday's early kickoff. With the ball at his feet on the edge of the box, and just eight minutes left to play, the Italian curled a quite sublime shot beyond the reach of Tom Heaton.
