Jerome brace sinks Rams

Jerome, making his first start of the campaign, had an instant impact as he combined with Mikael Forssell to open the scoring almost straight from the kick-off.

Matt Oakley equalised for Derby in the 51st minute but Jerome had the last word, firing home from substitute Sebastian Larsson's flick-on just after the hour.

It left the Pride Park hosts, promoted via the play-offs, bottom of the table after their joint-worst start to the Premier League having also only taken one point from four matches in 1999-2000.

The victory eased some of the pressure on Coca-Cola Championship runners-up Birmingham and it was mostly all due to the performance of Jerome.

With only half a minute gone neat interplay on the edge of the penalty area saw the former Cardiff striker play a quick one-two with Mikael Forssell and burst into the left-hand side of the box before rolling a shot across Stephen Bywater and into the far corner of the net.

Birmingham could have been further in front on the half hour when Jerome nodded on for Forssell to fire left-footed at Bywater and, from Stuart Parnaby's resulting corner, Radhi Jaidi hit the crossbar with a header.

And Jerome was made to pay for his profligacy when Derby levelled in the 51st minute. Eddie Lewis found space down the left and when he crossed to the far post Oakley was there to volley home the equaliser.

Forssell made way for Larsson shortly after and the former Arsenal trainee's impact was immediate as with his first touch he flicked on a cross from Stephen Kelly and Jerome, at the far post, fired home Birmingham's second.