Derby County strengthened their play-off hopes and dealt Birmingham City a major setback with a 1-0 victory at Pride Park, where the home side were brighter, more inventive, and in control for long stretches. John Eustace's team made it four successive home wins and, on the balance of chances, might have finished the afternoon with a wider margin.
The only goal arrived in the 43rd minute when Derry Murkin sent over a cross and Rhian Brewster's downward header slipped inside James Beadle's left post. The Birmingham goalkeeper reacted late, apparently expecting the effort to drift wide, and the visitors never found the response their season badly needed.
Early pressure sets the tone
Derby's start matched the early spring sunshine at Pride Park. After Birmingham gave the ball away, Brewster fired narrowly wide from just outside the area, an early warning of the pressure the visitors would face.