Daniel Sturridge scores again

Derby 1-1 Man City

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.

City made four changes to the side that crashed out of the FA Cup against Sheffield United on Sunday, and they did display more spirit.

Sven-Goran Eriksson promoted Kelvin Etuhu, Sturridge, Sun and Stephen Ireland to his starting XI with the major omission being 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.

The changes did not have the desired effect though and left City still searching for a first win at County since 1969.