Derby County 2-1 Birmingham City
Derby County started their NPower Championship season with a 2-1 win over newly relegated Birmingham City.
Birmingham centre-half Curtis Davies scored a header after just 19 minutes to put Birmingham ahead.
The Rams hit back on 26 minutes with Jason Sackell scoring a great header to level matters at Pride Park.
Steven Davies scored the winner late in the first half from long range beating Blues Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.
In the second half Derby defended magnificently despite Russel Anderson being subbed due to injury in the first half where Mark O'Brien came on.
Jamie Ward hit the woodwork in a second half were Birmingham continued to ppush for an equaliser.
Chris Houghton's first game in charge was not to be for him and the Blues but Derby County fans were delighted with the win.
The game also saw Derby County competetive debuts for Jason Shackell (captain for the day in absence of Shaiun Barker), Craig Bryson and Kevin Kilbane. Nathan Tyson missed out the game due to injury along with Stephen Pearson and Gareth Roberts who all joined Barker, Green and Buxton on the sidelines.
Throughout the game ,especially the second half, Derby played excellent in defence with Shackell leading the line. Mark O'Brien ,who came on for Russell Anderson, was also key in the Derby defence. Late on Birmingham upped the pressure but again a mean Rams defence had non of it.
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Derby County team V Birmingham: Fielding, Brayford, Anderson (O'Brien 35), Shackell (C), Kilbane, Bailey (Hendrick 83), Croft, Bryson, B Davies, Ward (Robinson 78), S Davies. Subs: Maguire, Legzdins. Booked: Ward, S Davies, B Davies Goals: Shackell (26), S Davies (42)
Birmingham City team V Dery: Myhill, Carr (C), Caldwell, Ridgewell, Burke, Beausejour, Mutch, Gomis, Rooney, Fahey (Wood 60), C Davies.
Subs: Murphy, Doyle, Dann, Redmond. Booked: C Davies Goals: C Davies (19)
Referee: Mr N Swarbrick Attendance: 27,210 (4,015 away fans)