Midfielder Dennis Wise scored on his Coventry debut as the Sky Blues came from a goal behind to thrash

Derby at the Ricoh Arena.

Paul Peschisolido had opened the scoring for the Rams before two minutes had elapsed - but City reached half-time on terms after Stern John equalised.

John added a second less than two minutes into the second half before Wise, Dele Adebola and two goals from Gary McSheffrey in the last seven minutes - one a penalty - capped the win.

The stunning result follows the Sky Blues' 6-2 thrashing of Derby during May in what was the last league game ever to be played at Highfield Road.

With only eight seconds gone Wise was given a talking to by referee Graham Salisbury after an over-the-top challenge on Seth Johnson, although the former England midfielder escaped a booking.

Moments later and the Rams were in front, with little more than a minute gone, as Peschisolido latched onto Richard Shaw's miscued back-header.

Once the Canadian had rounded goalkeeper Marton Fulop he stumbled though, only to recover and force the ball goalwards with Ady Williams unable to clear off the line.

But the Sky Blues were back on terms in the fifth minute as Micky Doyle found an unmarked John inside the Derby box and the Trinidad & Tobago international beat Lee Camp with an emphatic finish from 12 yards.

Next, Peschisolido headed wide before an acrobatic save from Fulop was needed to deny Inigo Idiakez from a free-kick.

Wise picked up a yellow card in the 42nd minute after another foul on Seth Johnson.

The second half got underway with Derby on the offensive as Peschisolido came inside off the right wing before firing a left-footed effort which tested Fulop low down.

But Coventry responded in style as Adebola darted into the Rams' penalty area and fired a low cross-shot from left to right which John tapped home from point-blank range.

The Sky Blues' next attack was only halted 20 yards from the Derby goal when Seth Johnson brought down John to earn a caution of his own.

Coventry went further in front on the hour as McSheffrey's incisive pass set Adebola free in the left channel and when the ball was worked back to Wise, the shot looped off defender Lewin Nyatanga, over the wrong-footed Camp and into the back of the net.

Two minutes later and Derby's disorganised defence were undone again as Adebola rose highest to head home a Wise corner from the left wing.

Salisbury failed to award a penalty following Doyle's obvious handball but spotted Michael Johnson tripping McSheffrey, who stepped up to net from the spot in the 83rd minute - much to the dismay of hat-trick hunting John.

And McSheffrey completed the Rams' embarrassment by scoring again in the second of three added minutes.

Teams

Coventry Fulop, Duffy (Whing 80), Williams, Shaw, Hall, Scowcroft, Wise (Thornton 77), Doyle, McSheffrey, Adebola (Hutchison 72), John.

Subs Not Used: Ince, Morrell.

Booked: Williams, Wise, Hutchison.

Goals: John 5, 47, Wise 59, Adebola 62, McSheffrey 83 pen, 90.

Derby Camp, Edworthy, Nyatanga, Kenna (Davies 66), Michael Johnson, Smith, Idiakez, Seth Johnson (Bolder 75), Holmes, Peschisolido, Graham (Bisgaard 66).

Subs Not Used: Poole, Thirlwell.

Booked: Seth Johnson.

Goals: Peschisolido 2.

Att: 20,267

Ref: G Salisbury (Lancashire).