Nigel Reo-Coker and Ashley Young grabbed the goals for Aston Villa at White Hart Lane to beat Tottenham 2-1 and consign it to its worst start in the Premier League.
Spurs could point to Dimitar Berbatov's transfer saga contributing to just a point from its opening three games, but this defeat had nothing to do with the Bulgarian - Martin O'Neill's men had too much pace and dealt with almost everything thrown at them.
Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes prevented Villa from adding to Reo-Coker's opener but it was then his mistake that gifted Young his strike in the second half.
Darren Bent's fortunate effort gave Spurs hope with four minutes left but Villa held on.
It sealed Villa's first three points in London for four years, and kept Spurs at the bottom of the table.
The corresponding fixture last year resulted in eight goals shared and Spurs' dramatic comeback completed in the last seconds - and the way both teams started suggested they were in the mood for more of the same.
Plenty has changed at Spurs since. Not one of its goalscorers on that night are now at the club and Martin Jol, coach at the time, is currently top of the league with Hamburg in the Bundesliga. Villa fans even ironically chanted the Dutchman's name.
With Franco Baldini from Fabio Capello's backroom staff watching in the stands, Villa broke the deadlock in the fifth minute with a goal made by three of Villa's seven Englishmen in their starting XI.
Winger Young had fed Gabriel Agbonlahor down the left flank and his low cross found its way to the far post, after John Carew's attempted flick.
Reo-Coker did not take a touch and stroked the ball in at the near post, his first league goal for Villa.
Luka Modric attempted to get Spurs back into the game with a run and shot that was saved by Brad Friedel - his only contribution before hobbling off with a knock - but it could have got worse for the hosts.
Reo-Coker had a cross deflected that sliced towards Gomes' goal and hit the post.
Nicky Shorey was booked for a trip on Aaron Lennon as Spurs attempted to get themselves back in the game by breaking forward.
They thought they should have had a penalty when Curtis Davies blocked a shot from Roman Pavlyuchenko, who was making his debut after his 13.8million pound move from Spartak Moscow.
The scoreline made for an open game, and Gomes kept Spurs within reach with two saves from the top drawer. The first was when Gareth Barry got on the end of Agbonlahor's cross - the ball was behind the Brazilian when he clawed it away.
Then Agbonlahor met Shorey's cross at the far post and Gomes punched to safety
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Pavlyuchenko made a frustrating start to his career in England, snapping at the ankles of Stiliyan Petrov within 12 seconds of kick-off.
He got on the end of a Gareth Bale free-kick but his finish went in the wrong direction, then he had a penalty shout correctly turned down when Luke Young cleared for a corner.
Spurs head coach Juande Ramos sent on David Bentley at the break and the England midfielder came sprinting out of the dressing room first, signalling his intent.
Spurs pushed forward and Friedel was required to tip a swerving Lennon half-volley over the crossbar - but they were