Manchester City 1 Derby County 0:Manchester City broke a 780-minute Premier League scoring drought at Eastlands as Sven-Goran Eriksson's honeymoon period continued last night. Michael Johnson's well-taken winner just before half-time was City's first league goal on home soil since New Year's Day.
On the evidence of Saturday's win at West Ham, Eriksson has spent wisely, the €11.8 -million capture of Brazil international Elano looking particularly astute. Newly promoted Derby, fresh from collecting a point against Portsmouth, presented a rather different problem. Indeed, had Kasper Schmeichel not shown the reactions of his dad, Peter, in racing off his line to smother after Stephen Pearson had wriggled clear of defence, City would have found themselves behind. Schmeichel was playing only because of Eriksson's failure to secure a more experienced goalkeeper.
Johnson picked up possession just inside the visitors' half. After shrugging off three would-be tacklers before laying off a pass to Stephen Ireland, Johnson continued his surge, collected the return ball and effectively toe-punted a shot past Stephen Bywater.
Rolando Bianchi might have bagged a second straight goal after the restart but his effort lacked power.
City continued to look more likely to increase their lead than Derby were to equalise. Substitute Geovanni fired a 35-yard free-kick to his compatriot Elano. Bulgaria international Valeri Bojinov was eager to make an impression too after replacing Bianchi, but his penalty appeal was turned down as he crashed a cross into Tyrone Mears's chest.
It was more or less the last chance City had as they retreated into their own half, keeping Derby at bay with the minimum of fuss to retain that winning feeling.
MAN CITY:Schmeichel, Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Ireland, Johnson, Hamann, Petrov (Geovanni 74), Bianchi (Bojinov 78), Elano (Mpenza 89). Subs not used: Hart, Onuoha. Booked: Petrov, Hamann, Johnson. Goal: Johnson 43.
DERBY:Bywater, Mears, Moore, Davis, Griffin, Jones (Teale 46), Oakley, Todd (McEveley 77), Fagan (Earnshaw 70), Howard, Pearson. Subs not used: Price, Leacock. Booked: Howard.
Referee:Lee Mason (Lancashire).
