The BBC's Alan Biggs: "It's really been a pig's ear of a match"

Esteban Fuertes' powered his header home from six yards to give Derby the lead just 90 seconds into the second half - even though his signing is not yet complete.

Everton had netted eight goals in the last two games to put themselves joint highest top scorer in the Premiership but their familiar goal-scoring problems which nearly saw them relegated last season, returned.

But their cause was severely hampered by the sending-off of defender Richard Dunne which left them a man down for more than an hour of the match.

Ref under-fire

Referee Andy D'Urso, new to the Premiership this year, was criticised by Tottenham manager George Graham following his first match in the top flight last week and Everton boss Walter Smith was in no doubt the sending off derailed his rejuvenated side's burgeoning recovery.

D'Urso rightly cautioned the Republic of Ireland B star on 21 minutes for a late challenge on Seth Johnson that sent the Derby midfielder spinning into the air.

But his decision to show a second yellow card for a clumsy tackle on Stefan Schnoor was widely judged as harsh.

Even the Derby players and fans seemed to expect no more than a free-kick to be awarded.

Discipline problem

But for the second time this season - following John Collins' dismissal at Aston Villa - Everton were reduced to 10 men.

The Blues' appalling disciplinary record of the past two campaigns saw a �50,000 FA fine imposed on them in the summer.

The sending off proved decisive as Derby made the advantage count just 90 seconds into the second half.

The Rams' 26-year-old Argentinian striker - whose protracted �2.3m move from Colon de Santa Fe is still not formally complete - was unmarked at the far post when he headed home Francesco Baiano's cross.

Lacks fitness

Still short of match fitness - he was substituted 19 minutes from time - could be the forward Derby have craved.

Everton's Richard Dunne gets his marching orders from referee Andy D'Urso

Fuertes was disappointing against Sheffield Wednesday during midweek - although Derby did record their first win of the season - but he was far more threatening against Everton and proved too much of a handful for defender David Weir.

Derby were slow to punish Everton.

It was only when Baiano came on at half-time the Rams' made their breakthrough, his cross finding Fuertes unmarked.

Don Hutchison went close with a dipping 25-yard volley in the closing stages which would have consolated Everton for the unfairness but the Rams hung on for their second win in four days.

The clash was marred by D'Urso who booked seven other players - four from the home side.