Sven delight as City revival goes on
City head into the derby not only ahead of their local rivals but knowing Alex Ferguson’s men cannot overtake them even if they repeat last season’s triumph at Eastlands.
Eriksson’s men maintained their 100% start to the campaign thanks to Michael Johnson’s single strike against newly-promoted Derby.
The goal — City’s first in the Barclays Premier League on home soil since New Year’s Day — took the Blues to the heady heights of second, trailing Everton on goal difference.
Yet Eriksson is too experienced to be sucked into the belief his side are in for an easy time.
“Sunday is a big one,” he observed.
“Of course, they are the champions, so it is a big test for us.”
Much has been made of Eriksson’s assault on the transfer market.
Having brought eight new players in since succeeding Stuart Pearce last month, the Swede’s line-up is almost unrecognisable from last season.
However, it was four academy graduates who caught the eye against Derby, as Micah Richards, Irish international Stephen Ireland, Kasper Schmeichel and goalscoring hero Johnson led the victory charge.
“It is fantastic to see so many young players doing well,” said Eriksson.
“I must congratulate the club’s academy for the extremely good work they have done.”
Once Schmeichel denied Stephen Pearson midway through the opening period, Derby never really looked like forcing a breakthrough.
“We can’t compete with the resources of Manchester City, so we have to do our best with the money we have,” said boss Billy Davies.
“We had a couple of chances but at this level, you have to take them.”
Schmeichel, Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Ireland, Johnson, Hamann, Petrov (Geovanni 74), Bianchi (Bojinov 78), Elano (Mpenza 89).
Bywater, Mears, Moore, Davis, Griffin, Jones (Teale 46), Oakley, Todd (McEveley 77), Fagan (Earnshaw 70), Howard, Pearson.
Lee Mason.
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