A brace of goals from Cameron Jerome gave Blues their first victory of the season at Pride Park this afternoon.

Blues were given the perfect start by Jerome with a goal after 32 seconds and missed countless chances in a one-sided first half, which they were made to rue when Matt Oakley equalised.

But Jerome restored Blues' lead just after the hour stroking home Stephen Kelly's cross for what proved to be the winner on an exciting afternoon of football at Pride Park.

Steve Bruce made four changes from the side which had gone down to a hotly disputed penalty against West Ham United at St Andrew's last Saturday, as Blues sought their first win of the season.

Young keeper Colin Doyle was omitted at the expense of Maik Taylor.

In addition to this change, Johan Djourou, Cameron Jerome and Gary McSheffrey were named in the starting line up with Seb Larsson, Gary O'Connor and Mehdi Nafti dropping to the bench.

There was an unbelievable start to the game, as Blues went in front after 32 seconds. Jerome and Forssell combined well and from a tight angle

Jerome hit a low left footed shot across the keeper into the far corner to give Blues the lead.

The home side were clearly stunned, and they mounted their first attack after 11 minutes, as Teale's 25 yard shot was tipped round the post by Taylor, a fine save, although the referee failed to spot Taylor's touch and awarded a goal kick.

Seconds later, Fagan fired well over from a similar distance as the Rams finally got to grip with the pace of the game.

Blues were certainly playing some delightful football, in what was a very open start to the game, and Jerome's pace was proving a handful.

It was the font man who won Blues a free kick 25 yards out just after the quarter hour in a central position, although Kapo's shot was weak and came to nothing.

Blues almost doubled their advantage after 22 minutes.

Jerome nodded over a static defence to send Forssell clear, but after hesitating, the Finn's shot was blocked by Bywater.

It was a golden chance for Blues and from the corner, Jaidi jumped highest only to see his header come back off the angle of post and bar.

Derby responded as Griffin teed up Pearson but his shot went well over Taylor's bar just before the half-hour and seconds later, Teale fired into the side netting.

It was Derby's most impressive spell of the game so far but Blues continued to hold firm.

There was concern after 35 minutes, as Djourou went down injured, but the man on loan from Arsenal was able to continue after treatment.

Blues were gradually being forced onto the back foot, although Jerome's pace was a constant menace and he and McSheffrey combined to win Blues a corner as they sought to relieve the pressure.

Blues should have gone further in front two minutes before the interval.

Some lovely play in midfield resulted in McSheffrey sending Muamba clear but his shot was brilliantly saved by the on-rushing Bywater to keep the Rams in the hunt, as the England U21 star almost grabbed his first Blues goal.

Half Time: Derby County 0 Blues 1

There were no changes for Blues as the teams re-appeared for the second half, and the home side also remained unchanged.

Derby were first to press as Teale won a corner in the opening minutes of the second half, and from Taylor's punch clear,

Jerome went on a 60 yard burst before releasing Forssell who spurned a great chance by firing wide after delaying his shot.

Play quickly switched to the other end and Taylor was alert to deny Fagan, diving at the striker's feet.

Jerome's pace created another chance a minute later, as he went haring clear again, round the keeper and pulled the ball back to Forssell, who was quickly closed down and the chance was gone.

Seconds later, Derby were level as Lewis made ground on the right and crossed into the middle, where Matt Oakley volleyed the ball beyond Maik Taylor who had no chance.

Blues went straight down the other end, and Jerome crossed, McSheffrey headed back across goal and Forssell acrobatically volleyed agonisingly just wide of a post.

It was end-to-end stuff and as the home side continued to press.

Teale put Pearson through on goal and Jaidi saved Blues with a last-ditch challenge.

Moments after McEveley forced a corner after a mazy run.

From the corner the same player fired narrowly over. For the first time in the game, Blues were looking uncomfortable as they sought to stem the tide of pressure.

The first substitution of the game came on the hour, with the Rams replacing Davis with Darren Moore.

Steve Bruce responded by sending on Larsson for Forssell. Gary McSheffrey joined Cameron Jerome up front.

The change paid dividends immediately.

Kelly crossed, Larsson flicked it on and the ball sat up invitingly for Jerome to caress the ball into the bottom corner to give Blues the lead again.

The front man should have had his hat trick seconds later, when shooting over under pressure as Blues appealed in vain for a spot-kick.

Blues were again well on top now, and Kapo's delightful through ball was just too strong for McSheffrey to collect.

Radhi Jaidi became the game's first booking on 71 minutes after complaining he was the victim of some shirt pulling.

Soon after, Rob Earnshaw came on for the home side, replacing Lewis, and Steve Bruce sent on Nafti in place of Gary McSheffrey as Blues looked to tighten their stranglehold on the game.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, Blues should have put the game beyond doubt as Larsson's free-kick was headed wide by Djourou from eight yards with no Derby defender within sight.

Derby responded with sub Earnshaw curling an attempt wide from 20 yards.

Derby made their final substitution after 85 minutes, with Leacock replacing Teale.

Blues made their final substitution too with Mat Sadler replacing Muamba as the clocked ticked down towards their first Premier League victory of the season.

In the second minute of additional time, Taylor flung himself to his right to deny Oakley an equaliser with a fine save at the expense of a corner and the recalled keeper claimed the ball from the corner to great cheers from the visiting fans.

Full Time: Derby County 1 Blues 2

Blues: Taylor, Kelly, Ridgewell, Djourou, Jaidi, Parnaby, McSheffrey (Nafti 73), Muamba (Sadler 85), Kapo, Forssell (Larsson 60), Jerome
Subs not used: Kingson, O'Connor

Bookings: Jaidi 71

Goals: Jerome 1, 63

Derby: Bywater, McEveley, Davis (Moore 60), Oakley, Howard, Fagan, Lewis (Earnshaw 73), Teale (Leacock 85), Todd, Griffin, Pearson
Subs not used: Price, Jones

Bookings:

Goals: Oakley 51

Attendance: 31,117

Report By: Richard Bradley