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Harry Redknapp memorably described Andy Todd as a “tough b*****d” he wanted to sign in that infamous exchange on Panorama’s bung-busting documentary, so he was surprised to see the Derby County defender storm into the Portsmouth penalty area and equalise with a diving header. Indeed, the Portsmouth manager was so shocked at seeing his team throw away a 2-1 lead that he initially thought that the scorer had been the more mild-mannered Craig Fagan.

“It was Toddy?” Redknapp said afterwards. “Bloody hell, did he have a nosebleed? I bet he’s never been that far up the pitch before in his life.”

Todd has put his head to a variety of uses throughout a topsy-turvy career, from head-butting Dean Kiely at Charlton Athletic to clearing his lines in more successful spells with Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers, although scoring beautiful goals has not been one. The 32-year-old is more renowned for his fighting spirit than finesse, but Billy Davies, the manager, had enough faith in his ability to play him in an unfamiliar midfield role and was rewarded with a performance of which his father, Colin Todd, the Derby legend, would have been proud.

Derby’s energy and enthusiasm will win them plenty of friends, although their survival hopes rest on Davies’s ability to get his players to play above themselves on a regular basis. This performance was a decent start, with Fagan and Tyrone Mears showing signs of developing a good understanding down the right, Steve Howard winning plenty in the air and Matt Oakley passing the ball impressively as well as scoring the fifth-minute opener.

Portsmouth have proved that they belong at this level, but want to achieve more this season. Their ambitious approach enabled them to come from behind with goals from Benjani Mwaruwari and John Utaka. The quick-footed Nigerian was particularly impressive, although David Nugent disappointed on his full debut and will need to do more to justify his £6 million transfer fee.

Derby County (4-4-2): S Bywater 4 - T Mears 6, D Moore 6, C Davis 5, A Griffin 5 (sub: J McElveley, 80min) - C Fagan 7, A Todd 7, M Oakley 7, S Pearson 6 - R Earnshaw 4 (sub: G Teale, 74), S Howard 6. Substitutes not used: L Price, D Jones, J Macken. Booked: Oakley. Next: Manchester City (a).

Portsmouth (4-4-2): D James 6 - Lauren 5, S Campbell 5, S Distin 5, H Hreidarsson 5 - J Utaka 7, S Davis 6, P Mendes 6, S Muntari 5 (sub: M Taylor, 80) - D Nugent 4 (sub: Kanu, 70, 5), B Mwaruwari 6 (sub: N Pamarot, 90). Substitutes not used: J Ashdown, R Hughes. Booked: Utaka, Davis. Next: Manchester United (h).