Warnock's revenge as Blades take over at top

West Bromwich Albion 0 Sheffield United

Sheffield United, beaten in the First Division play-off final in May, consolidated their claim to be considered a strong favourite for automatic promotion this season with a compelling performance at The Hawthorns, where no visiting side had earned a point before last night.

The result cost Albion not only that 100 per cent record but top place in the table as Neil Warnock's side defended solidly and made the most of their chances going forward, silencing a crowd that gave them a hostile reception after the bitter scenes that accompanied their last meeting 19 months ago.

United had the match effectively won by half-time with goals by Michael Tonge after 10 minutes and Ashley Ward after 37 giving them an advantage that required Gary Megson's team to come up with something exceptional in the final 45 minutes. That they could not reflected how hard the Blades worked in the face of sustained pressure, the centre backs Phil Jagielka and Chris Morgan forming an impenetrable barrier.

Albion enjoyed their best spell after they had gone behind, but though Thomas Gaardsoe, Jason Koumas , Rob Hulse and Sekou Berthe all went close, they could not match United's efficiency in front of goal. By contrast, United made both their openings count.

The impressive Tonge shot across Russell Hoult into the far corner after a one-two with Ward on the left. Ward put himself on the scoresheet when he stole between two defenders to convert a low cross from the right winger Nick Montgomery with a near-post flick.

It was the first meeting of these sides since the encounter in March 2002 that became known as the Battle of Bramall Lane, a game abandoned after 81 minutes when United, having had three players sent off and having used all their substitutes, were reduced by injuries to six players, one fewer that the minimum allowed.

Although the scoreline - 3-0 in Albion's favour - was allowed to stand, Megson has never apologised for comments he made about Warnock's conduct. Predictably, Warnock was jeered and barracked last night but claimed he had expected worse. "I think in the end they appreciated that we had played well," he said. "But I was very pleased with the way my lads handled the situation. Instead of being daunted by the atmosphere, they relished it."

Albion went for broke in the second half, Megson sending on Lee Hughes and Danny Dichio in the hope that a three-pronged attack might unlock United's steel defence. But aside from a Hughes header tipped over by Gerrard and a dipping free-kick by Koumas that narrowly missed, Albion never seriously threatened a comeback.

"We were second best in every area but I was impressed with Sheffield United," Megson said. "They are by some distance the best side I've seen in this division so far."

West Bromwich Albion (5-3-2): Hoult; Haas, Berthe (Dichio, 67), Gaardsoe, Gilchrist, Clement; O'Connor, Gregan (Sakiri, h-t), Koumas; Dobie, Hulse (Hughes, h-t). Substitutes not used: Murphy (gk), Wallwork.

Sheffield United (4-4-2): Gerrard; Kozluk, Jagielka, Morgan, Whitlow; Montgomery, Brown, McCall, Tonge (Peschisolido, 87); Ndlovu, Ward (Allison, 89). Substitutes not used: Lester, Armstrong, Rankine.

Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).