THE BIG DEBATE: The first managerial sacking of the 2026-27 Premier League season is still ahead of us, but the past weekend's results may well've drawn that decision much closer

Seven rounds into the Premier League season, the sound of axes being sharpened is getting louder. From a derby demolitions to stays of executions, the weekend saw plenty of manager's futures come into focus.

There were grumblings at Everton on Saturday as David Moyes' men suffered a 2-0 to Chelsea, before boos up at Newcastle in the late kick-off. In contrast, Alvaro Arbeloa breathed a sigh of relief as he got his first win as Fulham boss against Hull.

On Sunday, Pierre Sage had a nightmare experience in his first M23 derby, as his Crystal Palace side were stuffed 5-0 by rivals Brighton. At the same time, Manchester United's draw away to Leeds eased the pressure on Michael Carrick - at least for a few days.

History tells us that when the clocks go back, the first sacking is never far away. We asked the Mirror Football team who'll be the first Premier League manager to get the chop?

Make sure you don't miss sport's biggest stories and breaking news by making the Daily Mirror one of your Google preferred sources.

John Cross

Pierre Sage

Sage is in serious danger as Crystal Palace boss. And I think the Frenchman is most likely to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job.

It is a shame because it is so early in the season - just seven games into the league campaign - and it was undoubtedly a tricky summer with a lot of change at Selhurst Park. But you cannot lose 5-0 to your bitter rivals, and that humiliation at Brighton may ultimately go a long way to sealing his fate.

They have conceded 17 goals which is the most of any team in the Premier League. Palace chairman Steve Parish runs a very good football club and has established them as a mainstay of the Premier League, which is no mean feat considering the mess he inherited.

And he rarely puts a foot wrong. But Sage does not feel as if it is working. The league position isn't actually that bad - but the performances have been seriously lacking.

Sadly, you would have to argue they have been very uninspiring and that is a reflection of the manager. I think Palace are weighing it up and, while a change may not be immediate, Sage is undoubtedly fighting to save his job at this point.

James Whaling

Alvaro Arbeloa

Arbeloa finally got off the mark for Fulham at the weekend - but it's unlikely to keep the vultures at bay for long. The Cottagers always looked like they could be in for a season of struggle after a chaotic summer, and the opening weeks have done little to dim that view.

Despite a short time as boss of Real Madrid, Arbeloa has no experience of managing in the Premier League and it has shown. They have already suffered defeats to Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Ipswich. Unless the 1-0 win over Hull triggers a change of fortunes, I can't see Arbeloa lasting too much longer.

Nathan Ridley

Matthias Jaissle

While the likes of Alvaro Arbeloa, Pierre Sage and Michael Carrick are obvious candidates, I can't look past the full-time reaction at St James' Park on Saturday after Newcastle produced in a limp performance and lost 1-0 to Aston Villa. Jaissle always had a tough act to follow, regardless of how Magpies fans felt about Eddie Howe towards the end of his tenure.

But if Newcastle are serious about wanting to be the world's 'top club' by 2030, as CEO David Hopkinson proclaimed last December, they're running out of time. I can see them pulling the trigger early on the 38-year-old, whom the fanbase is yet to agree on.

Coincidentally, Newcastle face Arbeloa's Fulham and Sage's Palace away from home in their next four games either side of a cup-league double-header against Everton. Favourable, yes, but a recipe for the sack if Jaissle can't pick up at least two wins.

Then come clashes with Arsenal, Brighton, Carrick's United and the big one: Sunderland. The German needs results - and fast.

Matty Hewitt

Pierre Sage

I think Sage is the first manager likely to be sacked this season and he's under real pressure to deliver results. The humiliation against arch-rivals Brighton at the weekend was disastrous.

The Eagles have lost key players in recent transfer windows and they haven't replaced them with the same quality. It's little surprise Oliver Glasner left the club during the summer, but their former boss is another candidate for the early boot if he doesn't get results at Nottingham Forest.

Evangelos Marinakis doesn't exactly give managers time.

Scott Trotter

Pierre Sage

With the vultures already circling last month, a 5-0 defeat certainly leaves Sage the most vulnerable boss in the Premier League, especially given his strained relationship with decision-makers. While the results are far from unsalvageable at the moment, having a troublesome rapport with your superiors is not the easiest way to pass probation, and Crystal Palace may feel they need to take action.

Roberto De Zerbi's situation should be most vulnerable if Tottenham fail to beat Coventry City on Monday evening, with few excuses to hide behind following a significant summer of spending. The Lilywhites didn't have to do much to improve from two 17th-place finishes and they are sitting in a worse position at the moment.

There could also be trouble in the north east with Matthias Jaissle's Newcastle and Regis Le Bris' Sunderland side looking vulnerable enough to give some supporters twitchy backsides. Both should be afforded more time, however.