Derby 1-2 Birmingham

Two pieces of high-class finishing by Cameron Jerome sealed Birmingham's first win of the season, and left Derby still without a victory.

Jerome struck after just 23 seconds when he took Mikael Forssell's clever pass to finish from a narrow angle.

Derby skipper Matt Oakley volleyed his side level after Eddie Lewis picked him out with an accurate cross.

But Jerome sealed victory with a thumping volley after Blues substitute Sebastian Larrson flicked on a cross.

Birmingham made a sensational start to the first top-flight meeting between the two sides for 29 years by taking the lead with just 32 seconds on the clock.

The Rams failed to clear their lines from a throw-in and the ball was worked to Forssell whose clever little ball around the corner played Jerome in to drive across Stephen Bywater from a tight angle.

Birmingham were by far the brighter side in the opening exchanges, their passing crisper and movement off the ball positive in contrast to Derby who gave away possession cheaply.

But Gary Teale gave the home side hope with a low, raking shot which Maik Taylor - recalled for his first appearance since January - fingertipped round the post, although referee Lee Probert signalled a goal-kick.

That sparked a spell of pressure from Derby, but it was Birmingham who came close to stretching their lead.

Jerome's clever flick sent Forssell clear but as he shaped to round Bywater the Derby keeper read his intentions and spread himself to save but from the resulting corner Radhi Jaidi climbed to power a header against the crossbar.

Steve Howard's first contribution to the game was a late challenge on Johan Djourou which left the on-loan Arsenal player on the deck, and sparked an angry exchange between bosses Steve Bruce and Billy Davies on the touchline.

Birmingham made a positive start to the second half and Forssell had two chances to double their money.

Jerome played Forssell in after a swift break from defence but Jay McEveley stood firm to deny him a shooting angle and the Finn's first touch then let him down as Muamba set him up and McEveley again quickly closed him down.

Out of the blue, Derby levelled when Lewis was given time to pick out Oakley unmarked at the far post and the Rams skipper volleyed home his second goal of the season.

The goal transformed Derby and it took a combination of Taylor and Jaidi to deny Pearson who latched on to Teale's slide-rule pass down the inside-right channel.

The goal transformed Derby and it took a combination of Taylor and Jaidi to deny Pearson who latched on to Teale's slide-rule pass down the inside-right channel.

Birmingham restored their lead as respective substitutions had an effect.

Derby were forced to replace Claude Davis and before Darren Moore had a chance to settle, Blues substitute Sebastien Larsson flicked on Stephen Kelly's cross for Jerome to volley in his second goal.

Derby began to run out of ideas as they sought an equaliser against some dogged Birmingham defending, but Craig Fagan saw his shot cleared off the line by Kelly and in injury time Taylor went full-length to deny Oakley a second.