Phillip Cocu started his tenure as Derby boss with victory over relegated Huddersfield thanks to a double from Tom Lawrence.
Wales international Lawrence scored twice in three minutes to put the Rams in control, first lobbing into an empty net after an error by Tommy Elphick and then curling in a fine effort from the edge of the area.
Karlan Grant pulled one back from the penalty spot before the break after Kieran Dowell had brought down Juninho Bacuna.
The hosts had the better of the second half but could not find an equaliser, with Rams keeper Kelle Roos making a brave stop to deny Town skipper Christopher Schindler and sub Elias Kachunga blazing high and wide.
Derby, who are interested in bringing former England captain Wayne Rooney to the club, have endured another turbulent summer after being beaten by Aston Villa in last season’s Championship play-off final.
Boss Frank Lampard left to take over at Chelsea after the start of pre-season training before former Dutch international Cocu was appointed his replacement at the start of July.
After an even start to the contest they took the lead when Elphick miscued his attempt to shoulder the ball back to goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, with the Liverpool loanee only able to head the ball as far as Lawrence, who showed good control before lobbing a measured shot into the net.
Lawrence quickly made it 2-0 with another fine effort from the edge of the penalty area, with Town defenders too slow to close the forward down.
Town got back in it through Grant’s spot-kick after Dowell’s clumsy foul on Bacuna and Kachunga, who has not scored a league goal since December 2017, should have levelled late on but slashed well wide of the target.
Their loss means that all three teams relegated from the Premier League have opened the new season with defeats, after Fulham and Cardiff were beaten at Barnsley and Wigan respectively on Saturday.
Derby boss Phillip Cocu told BBC Radio Derby:
“It’s always important to start with a win, especially away. It was a difficult game but we did an excellent job.
“In the first half we played very good football. It was an energetic game, so in the second half the power ran a little low for some of the players. We showed two faces today – good football and good character.
“Tom Lawrence is a fantastic player. If we get the same product like he showed today, there will be no discussion about his qualities. He’s a player with huge potential.”
