Sturridge strike denies Derby

Daniel Sturridge's second-half effort denied Paul Jewell his first Premier League win as Derby boss.

City cancel out Derby opener

Daniel Sturridge's second-half effort denied Paul Jewell his first Premier League win as Derby boss. The 18-year-old, who was making first Premier League start, converted Petrov's cross to secure Manchester City a point at Pride Park. Derby had taken the lead inside the opening seconds of the second half when Kenny Miller's wayward shot took a huge deflection off Sun Jihai and left City keeper Joe Hart with no chance. City had a hatful of chances to wrap things up in the first half, with Darius Vassell guilty of some poor finishing. Rob Earnshaw came closest for Derby when his 37th minute struck the City post. Having had to endure Saturday's defensive horror show against Preston in the FA Cup, Rams fans must have feared the worst after just three minutes when Claude Davis' underhit backpass sent Vassell clean through but the City striker pulled his effort wide of the right post.

Fortunate

The hosts could count themselves fortunate again soon after when Vedran Corluka muscled in to meet Petrov's corner, but the Croatian's header flew narrowly over the crossbar. Petrov showed the game's first moment of true quality when his first-time ball cut through the Derby defence to release Vassell - but Rams goalkeeper Lewis Price was out quickly to smother. It was not long before former Aston Villa striker Vassell found himself clean through again but he gave Darren Moore enough time to make an excellent recovery tackle. City seemed certain to score when Davis cleared another quality left-wing cross from Petrov straight to Ireland on the six-yard line but the former Preston defender spared his own blushes with a last-ditch block. The home fans voiced their approval on the half-time whistle as they stood to applaud their side off the field - and 22 seconds into the second half their side scored only their eighth league goal at Pride Park this season. Hossam Ghaly twisted and turned on the edge of the area before the ball fell to Miller. The Scotland international's low shot appeared to be heading wide of the right post but took a huge deflection off Sun and flew past the wrong-footed Hart into the opposite corner.

Blossoming

Ireland's claims for a handball off Moore were waved away by referee Steve Bennett and by the 55th minute Eriksson had brought on Elano. And eight minutes later City were level. Again Petrov was at the centre of things, delivering a pinpoint cross for Sturridge to steal in ahead of his marker and add to his blossoming reputation with a neat finish. The teams may have drawn each of their last three meetings at Derby 1-1, but both went for broke as the game raced from end to end. The Rams created the better of the chances, Miller showing one superb touch before firing across goal only for Stephen Pearson to completely miss his kick. Robert Earnshaw was replaced to a standing ovation two minutes from time, however Rams fans were forced to endure a nervy final few seconds when City were handed a free-kick 25-yards out in injury-time. Elano fired tamely into the wall, however, to leave City still searching for a first win at County since 1969 and the Rams a first league win in 2008.

Derby County	Team Statistics	Manchester City
1	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	0
4	Shots on Target	1
7	Shots off Target	6
2	Blocked Shots	3
6	Corners	5
13	Fouls	12
4	Offsides	5
1	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
62.3	Passing Success	64.6
21	Tackles	18
81	Tackles Success	55.6
48.1	Possession	51.9
55.6	Territorial Advantage	44.4