Derby 1 City 1

It really did seem at one point that we were set to really come unstuck had we gone down to defeat last night at Pride Park, but thankfully some resillience was shown by the side following Sunday's FA Cup exit and Danny Sturridge scored for the second game running to rescue a point - and importantly the way other results went last night, keep us in the hunt for the European positions.

Sven has talked much of mental tiredness in the squad, and coupled with him busily trying to add players in before the deadline passes, he opted to make a swathe of changes with Elano, Mpenza, Hamman and Onouha all notably not in the starting eleven.

At his point, and amidst some of the restlessness from fans over recent results and performances, it is worth just taking a step back and reflecting on where we currently area and just what progress has been made this season given the lack of squad depth in comparison to the sides around us, but importantly just what was expected as we headed into the season.

A top ten finish was the instruction from the new owners for this season and the majority (certainly myself) echoed this as a reasonable position given the hectic way in which the squad was assembled under Sven and the time it takes to get a side challenging for Europe (evidenced by Everton and Aston Villa being ahead of us in that respect), from being a side who flirted with the wrong end of the table.

Talk of a Champions League position was nice at the time, if a little fanciful and it was inevitable at some stage we would hit a rough patch and things would not quite go our way or one or two key players would see a dip in form, all of which naturally result in a slide down the table.

A look through the squad (and those on the fringes) tells us we are well set for the future in terms of the quality both progressing through and added by Sven and with additions before this window closes and next summer, then I feel is the time where expectations can really be higher.

In reality, perhaps just now is a time to check those expectations a little.

Match reports:

Manchester City rolled another product off their Academy conveyer-belt last night in the shape of Daniel Sturridge, a striker with a famous family name, and he popped up with the equaliser that prevented a humiliating defeat at the Premier League's bottom club. >> The Telegraph.

MANCHESTER City had to come from a goal down to draw with rock-bottom Derby as the Blues' unconvincing form continued at Pride Park.

Youngster Daniel Sturridge scored his second goal in two games to haul City level after a Sun Jihai own-goal had put the Rams ahead. >> MEN.

Daniel Sturridge's goal for Manchester City denied Paul Jewell his first league win in charge of Derby County.

Sturridge's first Barclays Premier League goal kept Manchester City's European ambitions on track as they denied Derby County a long overdue victory at Pride Park. >> premierleague.com.

City stumbled to an unconvincing 1-1 draw against all-but relegated Derby County at Pride Park as Daniel Sturridge's first Premier League goal cancelled out Sun Jihai's own goal to give the Blues a point.

Darius Vassell squandered two gilt-edged one-on-one opportunities to win the game and in truth City should have had the points wrapped up by half time. >> Blue View.

Derby County's modest aim of avoiding the lowest final points total in modern times – Sunderland's 15 two seasons ago – would have received a useful boost had they been able to hold on to a rare lead last night. Sun Jihai's own goal right at the start of the second half put them in front for once, but Manchester City's Daniel Sturridge equalised on his Premier League debut to leave Paul Jewell's side with only eight points from 24 games, seven short of Sunderland's unwanted record. >> The Independent.

Sven Goran Eriksson was left frustrated as his wasteful Manchester City side failed to clobber the worst side in the Premier League. >> The Mirror.

Derby prediction

Although we were dumped out of the FA Cup at the weekend, we have every right to be bullish about this game as we make the relatively short trip to Pride Park given that Derby are in the midst of a horrible run which saw them also knocked out by Championship opponents, but more importantly are almost certainly heading for the relegation trapdoor and could indeed threaten an all-time low points record.

I doubt goals will be aplenty during this game, but our defence should be able to marshall an attack even less threatening than our own, but we could do with an early goal under our belts to settle any nerves and to inject a little confidence into our game.

Team wise, given that we don't have too many options available, there will not be too many changes (if any), although Sturridge may push for a start and Johnson must be getting closer to a return to action.

Given how he was drawn into a clash with Gary Speed at Bramhall Lane, it is highly likely that Robbie Savage will pay some attention to Elano during the game and hopefully Sven will have had a quiet word, and Hamman and co. will be on hand to provide some support.

A win from this game is an absolute necessity given our forthcoming difficult fixtures, and whilst it would not be beyond us to be part of kick-starting Derby's relegation survival campaign, a 2-0 scoreline in our favour is what I fancy - but not without one or two tricky moments.

Mills joins Derby on loan

City’s England international defender Danny Mills is heading to Derby County on loan for the rest of the season.

Danny has just finished a loan spell with Charlton Athletic and will now help the Rams in their fight to avoid dropping straight back into the Championship.

The player went to The Valley after being told in the summer by Sven-Göran Eriksson that he was free to find himself another club.

The 30-year-old joined the Blues in July 2004 and also spent part of last season on loan at Hull City. -mcfc.co.uk

Vassell set to move on

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Manchester City manager, is waiting
to hear whether Darius Vassell has decided to join Derby County.
Vassell is
yet to even win a place on the bench during City's 100 per cent start to the
season, and Billy Davies, the Derby manager, has inquired about the 27-year-old.
The former England striker has held discussions with the Midlands club after
being made surplus to requirements at City following Eriksson's massive summer
recruitment drive.
"It is a fact Derby are interested in Darius - but I have
not heard any results," Eriksson said. "I should find out more soon."

-The Times.

I think if the story is this far advanced then it would likely be that Vassell will move on, and the only spanner would be if another side threw their hat into the ring.

It is fairly clear that despite the England connection - and don't forget Vassell was a regular in Eriksson's England squads, that Vassell will not get a look in now at the club and will have to move on if he wants to get regular football.

It is fair to say that apart from brief flashes, Vassell's City career will be looked upon as a disappointing one as all the frustrations that Villa fans saw were evidenced at Eastlands. It did look promising during the early stages following his arrival and he built up an impressive partnership with Andrew Cole but once Cole went down injured (and subsequently departed) so Vassell's fortunes went.

Very much a confidence player, for all of last season he looked hesitant and unsure of himself - although playing on the left wouldn't have helped, and as the new broom has swept in he finds himself cast aside - and he could well be the first of a number to head to the exit door over the next week.

City 1 Derby 0

There is always something about the first home game of the season that gives things an extra buzz around the place, and most went into the last night's game with the expectation levels ratcheted up after recent events and the win at Upton Park.

Whilst perhaps not meeting the high expectation level, last nights performance was certainly good enough to take the points and displayed some positives that should last well beyond the honeymoon period that the new management and ownership are currently enjoying.

In the early stages lst night I thought we looked a little disjointed, and more the sort of performance expected from a hastily assembled side and Derby were perhaps the brighter of the two in the opening quarter of an hour or so - albeit without threatening Kaspar Schmeichel's goal.

As the half wore on though we got more of a grip of the game, but struggled to break a side down whose primary objective was to try and nick a point and apart from the odd foray from Petrov and moment from Elano overall we struggled to carve anything out.

The goal however was a moment of quality and it was a neat exchange between Johnson and Elano (set to become a familiar phrase?) creating acres of space which led to Johnson being played in to execute an excellent finish to put us ahead just prior to half-time.

By and large in the second half we controlled the game and weren't threatened apart from a half chance which Schmeichel got a good hand on. Some of the spells of football were of a high standard and the patience and ball retention was noticeable as we were willing to retain the ball and bide our time rather than simply hit and hope as Derby were often resorted to doing.

I though Derby offered little, more endeavour than anything else and will struggle away from home which could prove costly over the course of the season. At times I thought the 4-5-1 perhaps left Bianchi isolated but his willingness to run and create space was intelligent and far and away above anything seen last season - I also noticed he follows every shot up to sniff out a chance.

Another three points and a generally comfortable evening. I predicted that we should have enough craft and creativity to beat teams of Derby's calibre and so it ultimately proved. Another clean sheet is a bonus and incidentally leaves us as the only side yet to concede.

On a off the pitch note it was interesting to see Richard Scudamore from the Premier League flanked by Alastair Mackintosh and Thaksin Shinawatra at the game - no doubt plentyto discuss but positive in that the league don't seem to be trying to distance themselves at least.

Back on the pitch it was good to get a first look at the new signings and overall it was definitely impressive - some areas to work on but all look to be able to bring something to the side and my match ratings are as follows:

Schmeichel 7 - Good anticipation and pulled off one smart save.
Corluka 7 - Impressed me both in defence and moving forward.
Garrido 7 - Strong and linked well with Richards and the midfield.
Dunne 7 - Usual solid self but a litte careless in possession.
Richards 6 - Didn't have the most comfortable of nights.
Petrov 6 - Flashes of quality but a little bit out of the game for me.
Hamman 7 - Played a vital role in allowing others to create.
Johnson 9 - Man of the match. Well taken goal and imposed himself well.
Ireland 8 - Far more creative and confident than at any time last season.
Elano 7 - Quality touches look a class above. Still to get fully fit I think.
Bianchi 7 - Looks a proper striker and willing runner.

subs:
Geovanni 7 - Neat cameo and adds touch of class.
Bojinov 7 - Looked lively when he came on.
Mpenza 6 - No time to make impact

Other reports:

purelymancity
bluesology
therams.co.uk
guardian

Derby prediction

First home game of the season on the back of an impressive opening day win and we should be capable of banishing the memory of last seasons home offerings - and more importantly actually hitting the net.

I didn't see any of Derby's 2-2 draw with Portsmouth, but I imagine they will fall into the chippy, resillient, give 100% type of team that comes up from the Championship.

Most Blues will be expecting the three points ahead of a certain game on Sunday, and I am no different. Derby may be a tough opponent but based on Saturday we will have enough craft, creativity and firepower to get past a visiting side - and when was the last time we could say that?

Prediction: City 2 Derby 1.