A couple of games into the new season and Chelsea see a defender sent off on the stroke of half-time against Liverpool.
They are forced into a defensive reshuffle and the game reaches an inevitable conclusion based on first-half evidence, as Liverpool score twice and comfortably swat Chelsea aside.
That was Stamford Bridge two games into last season when Andreas Christensen was dismissed for hauling down Sadio Mane just before the break with the scores level.
Fast-forward a year to Anfield on Saturday and, after Reece James was sent off just before half-time, a completely different game played out.
One that still followed the evidence of the first half, as a brilliantly organised, hugely-spirited Chelsea held on for a deserved draw.
That it was done in front of a packed Kop, full-throated for the first time in 17 months, and the injured N’Golo Kante was subbed at the break only made the contrast in the two Chelsea performances, a year apart, even more stark.
The biggest difference was not in playing personnel, as Romelu Lukaku was the only new face, but in the dugout.
Thomas Tuchel has shown on many occasions since replacing Frank Lampard that he was a spectacular upgrade, but on Saturday proved he is not just one of the world’s top coaches but Roman Abramovich’s shrewdest appointment since hiring Jose Mourinho in 2004.
And arguably his bravest call.
Because few, inside or outside Chelsea, wanted Lampard to go. He was the golden boy who was, as former Blues winger Pat Nevin put it, destined to build a dynasty.
Has a new manager so swiftly proved such blind romanticism to be wrong the way Tuchel has?
Last season Chelsea’s defensive frailties were glaring and Lampard seemed incapable of addressing them, his January sacking coming after he shipped 10 goals in his final four Premier League defeats.
Eight months later Chelsea are a world away from being a soft touch.
After the draw at Anfield a beaming Tuchel spoke proudly of his players being like “brothers” in the heat of battle, exhibiting the collective will and courage to fight for their lives at the hardest of places.
You can tell a lot about the quality of a manager when his team loses a player in the first half against top opposition.
On the same day Tuchel’s 10-men pulled off a defensive masterclass, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, having lost Granit Xhaka, waved the limpest of white flags and were smashed 5-0 at Manchester City.
Tuchel’s Chelsea may be a better side by some distance, but the way Arteta’s men rolled over against City without a backs-to-the-wall plan to rescue some pride was painful to witness. They were shambolic.
It feels as though, after a bright start when many, including myself, believed Arteta would succeed at Arsenal, he is heading down the same route as Lampard.
Especially after £150million has been spent on new players this transfer window. That vast figure will be used as evidence against him after every defeat the way the £200m Chelsea spent last summer became a noose around Lampard’s neck.
Which is harsh. But the Premier League is a harsh and unforgiving managerial climate. Especially for rookies.
Can Arteta get Arsenal to play like brothers who could have repelled the slaughter at City with some pride? Or will they carry on playing like strangers until a more experienced coach comes along?
The way they look now, bottom of the league and deservedly so, survival looks a distant prospect for Arteta.
The only thing that could save the Spaniard is the lack of an outstanding alternative who ticks all of Arsenal’s boxes, waiting to replace him.
The likes of Tuchel rarely come on to the market during a season. How fortunate for Chelsea that he did.
