At Pride Park, Middlesbrough’s domination was not enough to prevent Derby County from winning their first Championship of the season thanks to a cool finish from Kayden Jackson.
Jackson made the most of a terrible backpass from Isaiah Jones, sprinting over half the pitch, evading goalkeeper Seny Dieng, and scoring the game’s first goal.
Boro, looking for their third straight victory of the year, controlled the ball for about 70% of the game and made many long-range shots.
Delano Burgzorg’s deflected shot also struck the post for Michael Carrick’s team, but the striker’s directed header was rightly flagged offside.
However, Derby showed amazing tenacity and grit in enduring the mounting pressure to seal the victory.
The clean sheet was all the more impressive given the hosts lost defenders Eiran Cashin and Kane Wilson to injury before the break.
But the Rams maintained their shape and discipline, largely restricting the visitors to efforts from distance.
A confident Boro start was a seamless follow up to the 1-0 victory over Swansea in their Championship opener, and the eye-catching 3-0 Carabao Cup success at Leeds United in midweek.
A delightful move almost led to Jones teeing up Emmanuel Latte Lath, but the striker was unable to get on the end of the cross and grab an eighth goal in consecutive league games.
But having almost set up the opener, Jones gifted the Rams the lead after Jackson headed the ball away following a Boro corner.
The midfielder tried to play a first-time pass back to his keeper but left it way too short and Jackson ran from inside his own half for his second goal of the season.
Boro were still in control and responded impressively. Finn Azaz forced keeper Josh Vickers into a decent save from the edge of the box after some nifty footwork and was also off target with a rasping 20-yard effort, while a fierce Lukas Engel strike went a whisker wide.
The visitors continued to dominate possession and create chances.
Burgzorg was unlucky with his deflected strike but most came from distance, with Morris mis-hitting from 18 yards, Azaz dragging an effort narrowly wide, and Hayden Hackney forcing Vickers into a scrambling stop.
Derby’s main threat came from set-pieces through a combination of their physical presence and excellent movement, notably when Ben Osborn’s measured strike was blocked, but they did not need the insurance of a second goal.