Cardiff City showed that they could be a force this season in Nationwide Division One after an easy victory over ten-man Derby County.
Alan Lee started the scoring on the half hour and ten minutes later, after Ian Taylor had brought down John Robinson in the penalty area, City skipper Graham Kavanagh rammed home the spot kick to put the Bluebirds well in charge.
Just three minutes before the interval Derby were reduced to ten men when Alves Candido Costa was sent off after kicking out at Richard Langley close to the corner flag.
Rams boss George Burley fired up his side during the interval and the ten men reduced the deficit within three minutes of the restart through Mathias Svensson but goals from Robert Earnshaw and James Collins completed a convincing victory for the Bluebirds.
"The decisions went our way today and we did got the rub of the green but it was a good display," said Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence after the match.
"To be fair we finished very strongly and it was a quality performance.
"Once we got that first goal it really was never in doubt although when they pulled it back to 2-1 it needed a step up in pace and we did just that.
"It was a fantastic atmosphere and if we keep our playing standards up at that level then we can go from strength to strength." Derby boss George Burley was very disappointed with the performances of the officials.
"Every decision seemed to go against us today and their third goal should never have been allowed.
"As regards the sending off, I think my player was a little harshly treated as he definitely went for the ball.
"When you are down to ten men it is very difficult and we knew it would be a tough game today as Cardiff were outstanding against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
"However, you cannot legislate for referees making wrong decisions."