City off to perfect start

Newly-promoted Derby, full of enthusiasm and fresh from collecting a point against Portsmouth on the opening day, presented a rather different problem to West Ham, who Eriksson's side beat 2-0 on Saturday.

Indeed, had Kasper Schmeichel not shown the reactions of his dad Peter in racing off his line to smother after Stephen Pearson had wriggled clear of the home defence, City would have found themselves behind.

Schmeichel was only playing because of Eriksson's failure to secure a more experienced goalkeeper. With the Swede still on the hunt for new blood in addition to the eight fresh faces he has already acquired, a similar argument could be made about Johnson.

The England Under-21 international had already sent one drive searing over the Derby bar when he picked up possession just inside the visitors half and went past three challenges before laying off a pass to Stephen Ireland, collecting the return ball and effectively toe-punted home.

It might have been an unorthodox finish but it was certainly effective and ensured Eriksson took just 42 minutes to achieve what City had been attempting to do under Stuart Pearce for the previous 738.

Rolando Bianchi might have bagged a second straight goal after the re-start but his effort lacked power.

City continued to look more likely to increase their lead than Derby were to equalise, although Steve Howard was not far away with a header and Schmeichel slid out to palm Craig Fagan's cross out of harm's way.

Bulgaria international Valeri Bojinov was eager to make an impression too after replacing Rolando Bianchi, but his penalty appeal was turned down as he crashed a cross into Tyrone Mears' chest.