Could the break be just what Derby need to reinvigorate?

Kamil Jozwiak is gingerly edging his way off the field, supported by the club doctor and physio.

Festy Ebosele is coming on for the Rams. Applause around the ground for the winger as he heads off.

Wayne Rooney certainly doesn't need another injury.

Image source, PA Media

The ire among the home support is being aimed at referee John Brooks, after a burst from Kamil Jozwiak is curtailed by Gary Gardner's sliding challenge.

He's had a few knocks in this game so far, and this one - caused by the follow-through in the challenge - looks like it might be one which prompts his withdrawal.

Rams boss Wayne Rooney just getting some detail into his players, Max Bird and Luke Plange, while we have the stoppage.

Great free-kick routine from Derby.

Tom Lawrence curls a low, fizzy free-kick into the box and Richard Stearman darts near post to turn it towards goal, prompting an excellent point-blank save from Neil Etheridge.

He beats the corner away and Blues break, but Max Bird is alert and alive having tracked back to cut out the ball into the box for Derby.

Birmingham have been vice-like in their press of Derby whenever they have the ball at the back.

Wayne Rooney has cleared instilled a will to play the ball on the deck, but there are times you need to get it clear.

Mind you, here's an opportunity. Derby get a free-kick on the edge of the Birmingham box, as Liam Thompson is brought down by Teden Mengi.

Ian Clarkson
Ex-Birmingham captain on BBC Radio WM

Birmingham are on top at the moment but they could do with a second because I can't see it being this way all game.

Derby will have a spell of 15-20 minutes.

Pinball in the Derby box, after Gary Gardner tries to flick a Marc Roberts throw towards goal, but it's eventually cleared and the recycled cross is harmless.

It was all self-inflicted, Derby tried to build from the back but the tension and the nervousness about their play saw them put the ball into touch wildly at the back.

They weren't punished for it. Let off.

Derby survive a dangerous raid, as first a cross from the left is nodded behind by Richard Stearman, and then Nathan Byrne breaks on the back of the corner before being sandwiched to win a free-kick in midfield.

Birmingham are using the mobility of Onel Hernandez and Lyle Taylor around the line-leading Scott Hogan, and it's causing the hosts defence problems. It's fluid and harder to pick-up the runs.

Image source, PA Media

Luke Plange tries to get on the end of a raking long ball from goalkeeper Ryan Allsop for Derby, but he goes a bit early and attracts the attention of the referee's assistant's flag.

The striker has some pace though, and is playing right on the shoulder of Marc Roberts.

Law of average he'll get his chance.

There's a little bit of growing discontent from the Derby support, frustration-based no doubt, as their side are failing to take the game to the visitors after a bright start.

The goal has really shifted the momentum, with the Rams reduced to long, direct balls forward, which the likes of Teden Mengi and Marc Roberts will soak up happily all day.

Can't say the pitch helps either, bobbly the word in places. Though nothing like the old Baseball Ground cabbage patch!

Ryan Allsop looks a bit hesitant and has to scruffily clear for Derby. It was a mix-up with a back-pass.

Marc Roberts came forward and looked like he was going to hurl a trademark long throw into the box but changed his mind.

Derby will have been aware of that threat though, he can fling one.

Wasteful miss from the edge of the box from Max Bird for Derby, after some lovely work to tee it up.

Luke Plange cut back from the byline on the left after overlapping smartly, and it was just touched into the path of Bird for a free hit.

Unfortunately for the Rams, it whizzed wide. Birmingham breathe easy again.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

It is a measure of the size of Derby County that today's game is a 32,000 sell-out.

Many Football League clubs could not dream of getting an attendance that size.

The Derby fans are raging right now after a promising break ends with Kamil Jozwiak crumpled in pain on the edge of the Birmingham box.

He and Tom Lawrence won the ball deep in their own half and broke.

Lawrence slipped the ball infield to the Pole, but he was brought down by the retreating Gary Gardner and stays down.

Mind you, John Brooks has waved away the free-kick. Jozwiak is struggling.

Image source, Getty Images

Ian Clarkson
Ex-Birmingham captain on BBC Radio WM

More great football from Birmingham, they're keeping the ball well.

Lyle Taylor didn't quite catch that volley cleanly but more good play from Blues.

It's been a positive start from Birmingham.

Great save from Ryan Allsop, who palms away a Lyle Taylor attempt at the back post for Birmingham. Great curling deep cross from Kristian Pedersen.

Derby are being swamped at the moment, with Birmingham dominant in possession.

The two centre-halves Curtis Davies and Richard Stearman need to get a grip in particular, with Scott Hogan causing problems with his physicality.

Birmingham win a corner after Onel Hernandez's shot deflects off a Rams player but Craig Forsyth heads the set-piece away.

The home side are struggling to gain possession and are being pinned back inside their own end.

Image source, Getty Images

Birmingham enjoy a spell of pressure around the Derby penalty area, without being able to get the ball in the box.

Curtis Davies heads one delivery clear, and Richard Stearman whacks a second dig away too.

Blues have the momentum.

Wayne Rooney tries to encourage and prompt from the sideline, as Luke Plange is flagged offside following a little dart in behind.

Derby fans are singing "We'll fight to the end" and you don't doubt it given the way they've performed this season.

However, that was a real crusher of a goal to concede. It's all about winning control in midfield now, where there's plenty of energy for the home side, but also a lot of relative inexperience.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Pride Park

Image source, Rex Features

There was a lot of love for manager Wayne Rooney amongst the Derby fans this lunchtime.

Rooney turned down the chance to talk to boyhood club Everton about their managerial vacancy, saying he is committed to Derby.

The former England and Manchester United skipper has turned into a totem for the beleaguered Championship club.

His side have some work to do now though after falling behind.

Ian Clarkson
Ex-Birmingham captain on BBC Radio WM

Great football from Birmingham and a great finish. Lyle Taylor opened his body up and slotted it across the keeper.

It's a great start.