Just one week after scoring his first senior goal in English football, striker Manel was shown the first red card of his Derby career as the Rams lost 2-0 to Coventry.

The Spaniard netted the equalising goal as his side came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Pride Park seven days ago but was sent off at Highfield Road following an off-the-ball assault on Sky Blues defender Peter Clarke.

With Clarke lying prostrate, Berkshire official Iain Williamson had no hesitation in dismissing the Rams' beefy target man, although by then Coventry were already two goals to the good with Gary McSheffrey and Julian Joachim having netted for the hosts before half-time.

The visitors made the early running with Coventry goalkeeper Scott Shearer called into emergency action as early as the fourth minute after opposite number Lee Grant launched a route one attack.

Manel was the recipient of the Rams goalkeeper's clearance and did well to work the ball in off the right wing for Noel Whelan to shoot from inside the box, but Shearer saved splendidly low to his right.

Leon Osman then headed over the Coventry crossbar before the Sky Blues took the lead against the run of play after Martin Grainger floated a left-channel free-kick to the back post.

Calum Davenport met the ball with a dangerous nod down seized upon by Stephen Warnock who saw his initial shot spectacularly saved by Grant.

But Warnock retrieved possession and turned the ball back into the danger area where McSheffrey converted from point-blank range.

The Rams mounted a rapid response and within two minutes of conceding, winger Marco Reich cut into the Coventry box from the left only to collide with Eric Deloumeaux.

Williamson had previously booked the Frenchman for a scything tackle on the German but on this occasion Deloumeaux escaped censure with Reich carded instead for diving.

The indignant Rams were to fall further behind in the 33rd minute when they were again undone from a set-piece play, this time Michael Doyle flighting a right-wing corner which Warnock headed down and Joachim hooked home from close range.

But as half-time approached, Bjarni Gudjonsson rescued the Sky Blues as he cleared Manel's header off the line following Reich's left-wing corner.

Tom Huddlestone replaced Rob Edwards in Derby's right-back berth prior to the start of the second half but the Rams' afternoon went from bad to worse as Manel was dismissed on the hour.

The incident temporarily reignited a match which had slipped into mediocrity and Shearer did more than earn his corn saving a free-kick and then a rasping drive from Osman.

At the other end, Grant spared further Derby blushes when denying Doyle who had burst clear on goal and the Sky Blues were denied more goals thanks to a combination of wayward finishing and kitchen sink defending from the 10 men.

Teams

Coventry Shearer, Deloumeaux, Davenport, Clarke, Grainger, Gudjonsson (Adebola 80), Safri, Doyle, Warnock (Konjic 63), Joachim, McSheffrey.

Subs Not Used: Ward, Shaw, Barrett.

Booked: Deloumeaux, Gudjonsson.

Goals: McSheffrey 20, Joachim 33.

Derby Grant, Edwards (Huddlestone 45), Mawene, Johnson, Jackson, Osman, Bolder, Taylor, Reich (Tudgay 79), Manel, Whelan (McLeod 80).

Subs Not Used: Camp, Costa.

Sent Off: Manel (60).

Booked: Reich, Taylor.

Att: 16,042

Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).