Jerome brace sinks Rams

Jerome: Matchwinner

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Teams

• Birmingham City
• Derby County

Players

• Matt Oakley
• Cameron Jerome

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• Blues reaction
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• Rams reaction

Cameron Jerome bagged a brace as Birmingham City secured a priceless 2-1 win at Derby County.

The former Cardiff striker opened the scoring inside the first minute as Steve Bruce's side made a blistering start to the contest.

Matt Oakley's goal shortly after half-time restored parity for Derby when his scuffed volley bounced into the net on 51 minutes.

However, Derby could not contain Jerome and his fine first-time finish restored the visitors lead shortly after the hour mark.

Despite late pressure from Billy Davies' side, The Rams could not find that all-important leveller as Derby slipped to the foot of the table.

Shock opener

With only half a minute gone, neat interplay on the edge of the penalty area saw Jerome play a quick one-two with Mikael Forssell and burst into the left-hand side of the box before rolling a shot across Stephen Bywater.

Maik Taylor was forced into his first save when Teale unleashed a shot from 25 yards and although the Birmingham keeper tipped the ball around his right-hand post, referee Lee Probert gave a goal-kick.

But Birmingham could have been further in front moments later when Jerome nodded on for Forssell to fire left-footed at Bywater and, from Stuart Parnaby's resulting corner, Jaidi hit the crossbar with a header.

Three minutes before half-time Bywater raced off his line to deny Fabrice Muamba after the midfielder broke through while at the other end Teale saw his hooked right-foot shot bounce agonisingly wide of Taylor's left-hand post.

The first real threat of the second half came from Birmingham who broke swiftly from a Derby corner just 90 seconds after the restart.

Jerome picked up the ball midway inside his own half and carried it 40 yards but his pass to Forssell pushed the Finland striker wide and he scuffed a shot off target.

Quality display

Jerome wasted the chance for a second when he sprang the offside trap and pushed the ball past Bywater but opted to pull it back to Forssell rather than shoot from a wide angle and his partner's effort was deflected for a corner.

He was made to pay for that error as Derby went straight down the other end and scored in the 51st minute.

Lewis found space down the left and when he crossed to the far post Oakley was there to volley home the equaliser.

Birmingham brought on Sebastian Larsson and his impact was immediate, as with his first touch, he flicked on a cross from Stephen Kelly and Jerome, at the far post, fired home Birmingham's winner.