Manchester City 1 Derby County 0: Johnson ends City's long wait in style

There will be trying times for Manchester City when Sven Goran Eriksson's global recruits encounter greater obstacles than the Premier League has placed in their path thus far. Today, joint top of the league, finally free of the curse that cost Stuart Pearce his job and heading into the Manchester derby above their depleted city rivals, that harsh reality contains as much foreboding for the City faithful as a Bangkok arrest warrant does for Thaksin Shinawatra.

A second successive victory for Eriksson's hastily assembled side over a dogged Derby County adapting fast to life in the top flight conjured many memories of the Pearce era last night in respect of the hardship required to get there.

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But with one blessed exception, a goal. The first in the league for City at their home stadium since Georgios Samaras, singled out as the epitome of recent underachievement, struck against Everton on New Year's Day and of sufficient excellence from young Michael Johnson to reaffirm belief in the blue half of Manchester that a vibrant new era is at hand.

This was not the exuberant performance many had anticipated following the club's impressive start at West Ham but that was always an ambitious request. A 100 per cent start, however, is ample compensation ahead of United's visit on Sunday. "I strongly believe we will play better football when the fitness of the new players is better and there is more understanding," said Eriksson. "But two wins, six points, two clean sheets; I am more than happy. With so many new players it was very difficult for me to know where we stood before West Ham. I could not have imagined a better start."

And nor could the club's owner when he began to lavish £40m on eight new talents one month ago. The long arm of Thailand's military law appeared to hold no concern for Thaksin as he took a front row seat to a rapturous ovation 24 hours after a warrant was issued for his arrest on charges of corruption in his homeland. Next to the former Thai prime minister sat Premier League, chief executive Richard Scudamore, no doubt keeping a close eye on the latest recruit to his organisation's "fit and proper owner" club.

Derby, resilient in physique and in formation, confirmed Eriksson's pre-match warnings that he was no guarantor of goals and easy victories as they refused City's exuberant performers space to flourish until the closing stages. The Brazilian playmaker Elano Blumer was largely shackled by the industry of Andy Todd while the former Atletico Madrid winger Martin Petrov joined the massed ranks of those amazed at the lack of cotton-wool protection in English football. Indeed, until the magic Johnson moment arrived in the 43rd minute, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had been City's more valuable performer and made several interceptions prior to a defining save from Stephen Pearson with the score goalless.

"You have to take those chances at this level and that was a big turning point," said the Derby manager, Billy Davies.

Schmeichel may lack the height and physical presence of his father but in his bravery, instincts and tendency to lambast any defender within earshot, the 20-year-old has inherited a few chips off the old block.

It was another academy graduate, Johnson, who released the anxiety that had consumed City on their own ground. The midfielder, reminiscent of Steven Gerrard and a transfer target for the Anfield club, embarked on a determined crossfield run that brought Elano a rare yard of space.

With an instinctive touch the Brazilian found Johnson's run and a nonchalant finish with the outside of the right foot gave City their first home league goal in 13 hours and one minute. It was a wonderful conclusion to a tedious saga.

Goal: Johnson (43) 1-0

Manchester City (4-2-3-1) Schmeichel; Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Garrido; Ireland, Johnson; Hamann, Petrov (Geovanni 74), Bianchi (Bojinov 78); Elano (Mpenza 89). Substitutes not used: Hart (gk), Onuoha.

Derby County (4-1-4-1) Bywater; Mears, Moore, Davis, Griffin; Jones (Teale 45 ); Oakley, Todd (McEveley 77 ), Fagan (70 Earnshaw ), Howard; Pearson. Substitutes not used: Price (gk), Leacock.

Referee: L Martin (Lancashire)

Booked: Manchester City: Johnson, Hamann, Petrov. Derby County: Howard.

Man of the match: Hamann.

Attendance: 43, 620.