Kim Hellberg made a winning start in the Middlesbrough dugout as his new side engineered a second-half comeback victory over Derby County at the Riverside.

The 37-year-old former Hammarby manager, who took over the seat vacated by Rob Edwards at the Championship side this week, claimed all three points with a 2-1 victory after trailing at half-time.

Patrick Agyemang had given John Eustace's in-form side a second-minute lead but second-half goals from Matt Targett and Morgan Whittaker turned the game on its head.

Victory carried Boro, who started the day in third place, back into the second automatic promotion spot, two points clear of Millwall in third, while Derby slipped two places to 10th, three points off the play-off zone.

Hellberg had taken the reins from caretaker manager Adi Viveash this week, setting sights on the Premier League but vowing not to change the team's playing style despite a recent dip in form.

In starting with a win, and particularly in this manner having been outplayed by Derby in the first 45 minutes, he made the perfect introduction to the Boro faithful.

It was far from the perfect start for the hosts with United States international Agyemang, a £7.3m summer capture from Charlotte FC in the MLS, putting Derby ahead after just two minutes.

It was both direct and effective, with the forward latching on to a long through pass from Lars-Jorgen Salvesen and slotting home from the right side of the area for a third goal of his Rams career.

Callum Brittain went close to equalising, hammering a shot against the crossbar only for the ball to bounce down on to the goalline and away to safety, but the visitors, too, had openings to double their lead, Bobby Clark going closest when firing a cross low which Sol Brynn turned around his post.

As the second half progressed Derby increasingly tried to hold on to a victory which would have made it seven wins from eight games – form bettered only by runaway Championship leaders Coventry.

But with Boro prising and probing that grip was gradually loosened, Matt Targett rising highest at a Hayden Hackney corner to head home and level the scores.

Then Whittaker, who had gone close from a free-kick early in the second period, sent the Riverside wild when firing a speculative effort from a short corner routine through a sea of legs inside the far post.

However, Derby and their manager John Eustace may have been furious about conceding from a short corner they had ample opportunity to close down and a shot which seemed to go in in slow motion past half the Derby defence.

For Hellberg though, it was the perfect start and maintained clear water between themselves and the play-off positions.

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg speaking to BBC Radio Tees:

"It was amazing. We talked about it inside. One minute we are 1-0 down and the rain pours down, it was thank you very much... welcome to England!

"But I am so happy and proud of the lads, how they performed over 90 minutes against a tough opponent who have won a lot of games recently and who are very good at defending. So it's massive.

"What was going through my mind? Damn it's quick [Derby's opening goal]. No it was a special one just because the beginning of the game it was a tough welcome.

"But that is when you have to show character and bring energy and try to do everything you can to help the lads.

"They are a very strong group who work hard and want to learn. They leave no man behind in fighting for each other and the body language from everyone was very, very good."

Derby County manager John Eustace speaking to BBC Radio Derby:

"We had a great start and worked our socks off, battled right to the end but the changes they made they were always going to be strong in the second half and we ran out of steam.

"We were disappointed to concede from two set-pieces but didn't look after the ball as well in the second half. Unfortunately our quality has let ourselves down.

"I don't think we were too defensive, we didn't sit in on purpose in the second half, we just didn't look after the ball as well.

"Look at where we were three weeks ago compared to now - we have gone toe-to-toe against second in the league, we are making the right steps forward."