Town ran out easy winners as they totally took ten man derby apart. Even prior to Brian O'Neil's second yellow card on 32 minutes it was all Town as Finidi George showed Portman Road exactly why George Burley was so keen to sign him.
With John McGreal and Jim Magilton out Jamie Clapham came in at left-back and Richard Naylor played up front. Hermann Hreidarsson went to centre-back while Finidi George went to his more usual right midfield role.
Town started as they went on with Matteo Sereni a virtual spectator for much of the game. Town's first real chance fell to Finidi who hit a shot from a Richard Naylor header. He was denied this time, but just a few seconds later he had opened his Town goals account. He found space on the right and Matt Holland played him in. The Nigerian showed composure in front of goal and put Town in the lead. As he ran away towards the Cobbold Stand a cowboy hat flew on to the pitch, however Finidi missed it and was quickly hugging fans at the front of the stand.
While the goal was being celebrated referee Eddie Wolstenholme was booking Brian O'Neil for a late challenge in Jamie Clapham which had occurred in the build-up to the goal.
Town were in irresistable form with Finidi adding to the Blues' already dashing play. The Nigerian was finding space and playing lovely one-twos with both Marcus Stewart and Richard Naylor. Martijn Reuser wasn't having a quiet game on the other side of the pitch either, but in the main it was Finidi who was impressing and the North Stand, ensconced in the South Upper, quickly came up with a song for the new man. Based on Volare it roughly goes "Finidi... Whoooa! He comes from Africa! He drives a big tractor!" This quickly caught on.
Town were getting chances galore. Stewart went just wide after a neat interchange with Finidi. The new man also drew several excellent saves from Poom. The former Town target was pretty much keeping his side in it, although he did show a tendency to drop the odd cross.
On 32 minutes Town pretty much wrapped the game up. Or rather Brian O'Neil did it for them. The Derby player went through the back of Martijn Reuser's legs and the referee had no alternative but to show him a second yellow card.
Oddly Town were less impressive for the few minutes directly after the red card, but quickly got going again. Bramble was playing classy balls out of defence, Holland was doing well in the middle with Wright while Sereni was still waiting to make a save.
Town came closest to adding a second through Martijn Reuser who took the ball through but Poom managed to push him wide, injuring himself in the process. Reuser had another go and a defender stuck out his arm. It looked an obvious penalty, but the referee waved play on. After several minutes treatment Poom continued. It had looked as though the Estonian might go off and Andy Oakes, the Derby sub keeper, was on the touchline standing by.
The second half started as the first had ended. Holland had a shot saved from a Reuser cutback and then Reuser hit a fantastic volley which was stopped by a defender on the line.
It took just three minutes for Town to go two-up. Reuser crossed from the left and Naylor headed home off Higginbotham, although it may well go down as an own goal.
Town continued to press for more goals. Titus Bramble and Richard Naylor both came close with headers from corners. Jermaine Wright had a go from distance and hit the upper tier of the South. Poom dropped another cross.
At the other end Derby had their first chance. Craig Burley threaded a ball through that Fabrizio Ravanelli almost latched on to.
Finidi George got close to getting on the end of a Jamie Clapham cross before Jermaine Wright ballooned another shot. On the hour Reuser had a another shot well-saved by Poom and tried to play in Naylor from the rebound. A defender got in to clear.
Matt Holland headed goalwards from a Finidi cross before Fabian Wilnis replaced Jamie Clapham. The ex-Spurs player had done as well as most and his input was appreciated by the crowd.
On 65 Richard Naylor was hauled down inside the panlty area as he completed a one-two with Marcus Stewart. It looked a very obvious penalty, much like the one in the first half, but the referee was unimpressed.
Naylor was having a good game and he too was denied by another Poom save when he hit a low shot towards the corner of the net.
Pablo replace Marcus Stewart and he also did well. Some lovely flicks and interchanges with Finidi in particular, with the two of them trading backheels inside the penalty area at one stage as they sought to grab an opening.
Couñago hit a shot wide from a Naylor lay-off before Finidi added Town's third. The Nigerian's stooped header from a Reuser corner beat Poom and set the North/South Standers singing again.
Alun Armstrong replaced Richard Naylor who had had a good night. This season could be the season where he gets a run in the side and proves himself.
With a few minutes left Ravanelli got one back for Derby with what was their first shot of the night.
The sides were evened up for the last few minutes as Fabian Wilnis limped off with what looked like a hamstring.
All in all a fabulous way to start the season at home. New man Finidi ran the show while Pablo again showed that he is quite a prospect when coming on in the second half. The Charlton scouts must be writing an intimidating report for Alan Curbishley to read. I can't wait 'til Saturday.
Sereni, Makin, Clapham (Wilnis), Hreidarsson, Bramble, Holland, Wright, George, Reuser, Stewart (Couñago), Naylor (Armstrong).
Att: 21,197