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Blues' skipper, Noel Bailie, floated a free into the danger area and as Derry keeper David Forde came to collect, he spilled possession and striker Peter Thompson was perfectly placed to kick the ball over his left shoulder and into the empty net.
Stunned by this reversal, Derry refused to be intimidated and levelled matters within seven minutes from the penalty spot.
Following a short corner, Paddy McCourt attempted to weave his way into the area and while he skilfully side-stepped a first tackle, Linfield full-back, Pat McShane, brought the Derry winger crashing to earth and referee, Adrian McCourt, immediately pointed to the spot.
Up stepped striker Mark Farren, and the 23-year-old neatly tucked the spot-kick into the corner giving keeper Alan Mannus no chance.
And the men from the Brandywell gained great momentum from the equaliser and really should have moved into the driving seat minutes later.
Cork native, Stephen O'Flynn, burst clear but his shot lacked both power and direction and Mannus was relieved to gather the ball.
Derry went close again in the 20th minute when Killian Brennan delivered a high free-kick into the area and when Peter Hutton won the first header to divert the ball back across the face of goal, new signing Ken Oman directed his free-header over the crossbar from close range.
After the break both sides cancelled each other out and while Linfield enjoyed more of the ball, they refused to penetrate the visiting defence.
Linfield: Mannus; Ervin, Murphy, Bailie, McShane; Mouncey (Mulgrew, 88), McAreavy (O'Kane, 84), Gault, Kearney; Ferguson and Thompson.
Derry City: Forde; Deery (Hargan, 66), Oman, Hutton, McCallion; McCourt, Martyn (Higgins, 82), Molloy, McCourt; O'Flynn (McHugh, 77) Farren.