Graham Potter took charge for the first time as West Ham manager on Friday night but failed to secure a win on his debut as his side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa.
The hosts at Villa Park spent most of the match playing catch-up, after Lucas Paqueta opened the scoring in just nine minutes to the delight of the traveling fans.
But after working hard for the rest of the first half and much of the second, Unai Emery's team was able to equalize with a sneaky shot from Amadou Onana.
Just five minutes after the tie, Villa were finally able to take the lead thanks to Morgan Rogers' goal in the 76th minute.
But even as he returns to the capital with the first defeat of his spell in charge, how has Potter fared in his new role?
Here, Mail Sport's James Sharpe focuses on the new manager and what worked and what didn't.
Graham Potter began his time as West Ham manager at Villa Park on Friday night.
Potter's team was knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa, who bounced back to win 2-1.
The former Chelsea coach made every change on the bench but for now it gave the same result
TACTIC
Same players, same formation, different beast… but the same result.
Potter named a team that looked familiar to the one Julen Lopetegui had all season, but from the start it looked like a new team.
He's only had one training session, but it seemed as if a group of players were really trying to implement a tactical plan rather than hoping that someone, usually the now injured Jarrod Bowen, could make something happen.
It was a 4-2-3-1 on paper, but every time Villa had the ball, Aaron Wan-Bissaka put it in while winger Crysencio Summerville came in to form a back five.
The attacking trio of Lucas Paquetá, Mohammed Kudus and Summerville continued to rotate and Villa struggled to deal with their movement.
Limited by two injuries in the first half, Potter was unable to counter Villa's pressure when it arrived and regain control of the game. In the end it cost them.
Aston Villa had problems with the rotation of Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and Summerville
BODY LANGUAGE
Potter did not charge down the sideline when Paquetá's first goal went in. Just a clenched fist and a small punch in the air.
Potter is rarely this animated, but he spent much of the time gesturing to his players and moving them into position. He applauded Paquetá's previous shot that went wide. He greeted center back Max Kilman to reduce the gap between the center backs, he was in deep conversation with Edson Álvarez in another pause in the game.
When things got frantic in the second half, as Villa turned up the pressure, the hands came out, slapping the ground with their palms, in the universal “calm down, guys” gesture.
Not that it worked. Villa equalized and Potter immediately called on youngster Ollie Scarles for a chat before the hosts took the lead.
While they searched in vain for an equalizer, he continued waving, gesticulating, applauding and, above all, remained calm.
Potter rarely gets animated because he spends so much time gesturing to his players and moving them around.
When things got hectic in the second half, Potter stuck out his hands in an attempt to project calm.
CROWD REACTION
Until the tie came, West Ham fans went through the entire repertoire. One to zero, for the Cockney Boys. West Ham until I die. Always blowing bubbles. What a shit you must be, we're winning.
They had rarely been able to enjoy much of their team playing decent football or leading games this season. In the end, they were the hosts in full voice.
However, there is still no booming song for Potter. That will come. You imagine that will come, with more improved performances and, crucially, results.
SUBS
It was forced early when Niclas Fullkrug, who has already missed three months this season with an Achilles injury, stopped in the opening 15 minutes and was replaced by Danny Ings.
Summerville also appeared to take a hit in the first half and was replaced at half-time. Potter decided to bring in Vladimir Coufal at right back and push Wan-Bissaka to the right wing.
It is not the greatest show of faith in Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme, a £25m summer signing, who remained on the bench.
When his team fell behind, he replaced the young Scarles with Aaron Cresswell, an odd choice when looking for an equaliser.
The manager was forced to make an early change when Niclas Fullkrug was injured
Potter wrapped in a club coat, a far cry from his suit-and-boots days at Chelsea.
FASHION
This time there is no bland turtleneck and suit combo for Potter like during his Chelsea days. Too cold for that.
Just a standard padded winter coat in the club shop over a tracksuit and black Umbro trainers.
Nothing spectacular, back to basics and, after this result, back to the drawing board.