West Bromwich Albion survived playing with 10 men for nearly an hour to win at Derby County for the first time in 23 years and go top of the Championship table.
Albion were almost relegated to League One last season but lead the way early on this time thanks to a predatory finish from Aune Heggebo.
Right-back Brayann Pereira was sent off just 34 minutes into his debut but the visitors produced a determined and otherwise disciplined display to continue their rehabilitation under head coach James Morrison.
Derby were unable to take advantage and drop into the bottom three after a fourth defeat of the season already.
Albion turned to Morrison in April after a season of toil last year in which there were two sackings and a points deduction.
And their former midfielder has done wonders so far to have Baggies fans dreaming of Premier League football for the first time since 2021.
Derby started brightly, pressing Albion high and looking sharp on the ball with former West Brom man Alex Mowatt pulling the strings in midfield.
But Albion then decisively took the lead with their first real attack.
Callum Styles did brilliantly on the left to win the ball back, and when Jimmy-Jay Morgan flashed a cross in, Heggebo was able to slam in from close range.
Right-back Pereira then saw a second yellow card after clattering Charlie Taylor just minutes after being booked.
Derby dominated the rest of the half to no avail, having their best chance when David Ozoh wriggled into the area and poked the ball across goal but Styles was alive to clear.
Albion lost Nolan Galves, who only came on after the first-half red card, to injury early in the second period, but their defence dealt well with another reshuffle.
The Rams were toothless in response, with a frustrated crowd making their feelings known at full-time after another defeat.