Derby show improvement after holding City

Derby 1 Manchester City 1

Daniel Sturridge’s first Barclays Premier League goal moved Manchester City back into a UEFA Cup spot as they denied Derby a long overdue victory at Pride Park.

Sun Jihai’s own goal less than a minute into the first half put Rams boss Paul Jewell within touching distance of a first league victory since taking charge.

But it was not to be as Sturridge nipped in ahead of his marker to fire his second goal in as many games, which proved enough to move City back into the top six following Liverpool’s defeat at West Ham.

Both managers made four changes to their teams, who both crashed out of the FA Cup to Coca-Cola Championship opposition over the weekend.

Paul Jewell brought in Dean Leacock, Robert Earnshaw, Craig Fagan and Darren Moore following Saturday’s thrashing by Preston, while midfielder Giles Barnes - the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Newcastle earlier in the week was again named among the substitutes.

Sven-Goran Eriksson promoted Kelvin Etuhu, Sturridge, Sun and Stephen Ireland to his starting XI after their exit at the hands of Sheffield United.

The major omission was Brazilian playmaker Elano, who was forced to settle for a place on the bench.

Having had to endure Saturday’s defensive horror show, Rams fans must have feared the worst after just three minutes when Claude Davis’ underhit backpass sent Darius Vassell clean through but the City striker pulled his effort wide of the right post.

The hosts could count themselves fortunate again soon after when Vedran Corluka muscled in to meet Martin Petrov’s corner, but the Croatian’s header flew narrowly over the crossbar.

It took 12 minutes for the home side to muster any sort of attacking threat but Robbie Savage’s deep corner was dealt with comfortably by Michael Ball.

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.

Ireland drove menacingly towards the Rams goal midway through the first period, but the end product was neither a shot nor a cross, much to the frustration of the onrushing Petrov and Vassell.

It was not long before former Aston Villa striker found himself clean through again soon after but he gave 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 Kenny Miller on the edge of the City area.

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.

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.

Eriksson opted to bring on further fresh legs with Geovanni and later Emile Mpenza coming on for Sturridge and Vassell respectively, while Jewell brought on Barnes for the final 10 minutes.

The teams may have drawn each of their last three meetings at Derby 1-1 prior to tonight, 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 Pearson to completely miss his kick.

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.