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Nigel Clough had brought in a striker this week but really didn't need Luke Moore as they set about on their destruction of Palace.
Derby were always the dominant force in this game and it was no surprise that they took the lead in the 14th minute, when a mistake by former Rams £3m defender Claude Davis allowed Alberto Bueno to score.
The Rams played some very good passing football and looked nothing like the poor side who failed to produce any sort of football in recent weeks.
Derby's excellent start to the game was given a boost when a desperate two footed lunge for the ball by James Vaughan on John Brayford in ther 20th minute resulted in a straight red card from the referee,Anthony bates, which has to be said was deserved for what looked like a leg breaking foul. Happily Brayford was able to continue after treatment.
The Rams took full advantage of the loss of Vaughan and Kris Commons produced a stunning run into the box and a clinical left footed shot that curled around Speroni and into the Palace net. The goal came in the 41st minute, was special and capped an excellent and energetic performance by Commons.
At 2-0 the Rams were in complete control and Stephen Bywater was redundant in the Rams goal and was not troubled during the entire 90 minutes.
In the second half the Rams continued to dominate and played some of their best football seen this season and were rewarded with their third goal in the 62nd minute. This time a great finish from Alberto Bueno saw the former Real Madrid man net his second of the game.
The Rams fourth goal was a stunning free kick in the 68th minute taken by Rams Captain Robbie Savage the ball was whipped over from the left hand side of the pitch and Paul Green rose highest in a crowded penalty area to guide the ball past a despairing Speroni.
Claude Davis added to George Burley's nightmare return to Pride Park, as a tame back pass was left short by the big defender and veteran striker Shefki Kuqi stole in to beat both Davis and the keeper to the ball and slotted in the Rams fifth in the 73rd Minute.
A crowd of 28,258 were shouting "we want six", or in the case of the Palace fans, streaming out of the stadium at this point Derby continued to pepper the Palace goal but that elusive sixth goal wouldn't come.
The Rams now hope to continue the good work as they take on Middlesbrough at Pride Park on Tuesday evening...