West Brom 0 Sheffield United 1 - Report and pictures

But there's no denying this defeat has put a serious dent in Albion's automatic promotion hopes, particularly after the results in the 3pm kick-offs.

Albion were hardly lacking effort, but their play did lack the same intelligence or conviction as United's, who proved why they are chasing promotion with a well-oiled performance.

The Blades had three extra days to prepare for this six-pointer, and at times, it looked it.

But Chris Wilder has found a winning formula for his side, who are now unbeaten in six. In contrast, Darren Moore's approach is currently only working away from home.

It's now five games without a home win in the league, and for the first time this season, they drew a blank at The Hawthorns.

Moore's 4-3-3 formation, which seems so useful on the road, is not working on home soil, and it's foibles were accentuated today by Sheffield United's dynamic front two backed up by midfield runners.

The goal, 14 minutes into the match, came from one such runner. Kieran Dowell's looping header over Sam Johnstone proved enough to win this six-pointer.

It was Albion's first defeat in five games, and their first defeat this season to a team above them in the division, but it leaves them four points off the top two.

Matt Phillips started his first game since New Year's Day, replacing Jacob Murphy, who missed out with a knock.

Dwight Gayle, who was booed by the away fans following his two-game ban for diving, Rekeem Harper, and Gareth Barry, who finally looked his age on his 38th birthday, were also reinstated to the line-up.

Chris Wilder made three changes to his side, bringing in fearsome front two Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick, who have scored 34 goals between them this season.

They may not have scored today, but their relentless work up front caused Albion problems.

The Hawthorns was bouncing at kick-off, as the home fans responded to Moore's rallying cry with a helping hand from The Liquidator's return.

But it was the away end celebrating first as the visitors drew first blood.

The early stages suggested Albion might find joy on the counter-attack, because they were leaving three strikers up against three centre-backs.

But it was United who took the lead through a breakaway, and a familiar face who provided it.

Martin Cranie had played several games for Albion during pre-season when he was a free agent, but had subsequently signed for Sheffield United.

And it was the defender's effort to dig out a cross on the slide on the byline after a pass in behind looked overhit that created the opener.

Kieran Dowell reacted quickest, looping a header over Sam Johnstone and into the far corner. For the third successive home game, Albion had fallen behind in the opening 20 minutes.

The Baggies responded, and a dangerous Mason Holgate cross brushed the top of Jay Rodriguez's head six yards out, inadvertantly taking the ball away from a lurking Gayle.

Holgate was having a huge influence on the game from right-back, as Albion continually looked to him, but the Baggies were struggling to pick the final ball that unlocked the Blades.

The visitors looked far more threatening going forward, and Johnstone had to pull of a smart save to tip a Marvin Johnson shot around the post after a neat back-heel from goalscorer Dowell.

Albion's No.1 saved again soon after, this time from David McGoldrick on a narrow angle.

The Baggies looked dangerous whenever Phillips opened up his lungs, but United were squeezing his air at every opportunity.

Then, shortly before the half-hour, the Baggies had a gilt-edged chance fall to exactly the man they would want it too.

When Rekeem Harper scuffed his shot on the edge of the box, it was almost a carbon copy of the goal Jay Rodriguez scored against Middlesbrough, but this time Gayle failed to get the contact necessary to silence the away end.

Even though it came fast at him and through a crowd, Gayle held his head in his hands, knowing that collector's item could prove costly.

It was a frustrating first half for Albion, who huffed and puffed but failed to attack with the same verve as their visitors.

Five minutes after the restart, Kieran Gibbs was fortunate referee Oliver Langford missed a nasty challenge over the ball that caught Kieron Freeman.

The Baggies looked jaded from their midweek efforts at Loftus Road, and then shortly after the hour mark Ahmed Hegazi was forced off through injury.

Moore sent for Tosin Adarabioyo and Jefferson Montero, and his side finally started to beat the Blades to the ball.

Montero immediately whipped in a dangerous delivery that was cleared, but with two up front, United were always a threat on the break.

The substitutes seemed to give Albion impetus though, and they finally started to create chances of note.

With 15 minutes to go, a lovely passing move ended with Livermore slipping Gayle down the channel, but his low cross was gathered by Dean Henderson.

The poacher is usually much better on the end of those crosses, rather than putting them in, but two minutes later he couldn't divert a Gibbs cross on target when he was the one in the middle.

With five minutes left, Albion had the ball in the net when a dangerous Holgate cross hit Rodriguez's hand and flew in, evoking memories of the derby against Aston Villa.

But the striker immediately shook his head and pointed to his hand, at the same time referee Oliver Langford was ruling the goal out.

In injury time, Gayle went down in the box over a Richard Stearman leg off the ball, but nothing was given.

And then Henderson rushed out to save from Montero when Albion finally decided to lump it.

How damaging this defeat is won't become apparent until May, but unless Moore finds a solution to his troubles at home, the Baggies will struggle to challenge for the top two.

Key moments

14 GOAL UNITED - Dowell's looping header drops inside the far post after Cranie digs out a cross.

18 Johnstone tips Johnson's effort around the post after Dowell's back heel.

27 Gayle fluffs a chance at the far post when Harper's scuffed shot falls to him.

50 Gibbs catches Freeman with a nasty challenge over the ball but nothing given.

72 Gayle's low cross is gathered by Henderson.

74 Gayle can't connect to Gibbs's cross.

84 Albion have the ball in the net but it comes off Rodriguez's hand and the striker immediately points to his hand to indicate that.

90 Gayle goes down in the box over Stearman's leg off the ball, but nothing given.

Man of the match

Kieron Freeman - A battling performance in midfield for the Blades.

Position in the table

4th, with 60 points from 34 games.

Teams

Albion (4-3-3): Johnstone; Holgate, Dawson, Hegazi (Adarabioyo 64), Gibbs; Livermore (Edwards 86), Barry (c), Harper; Phillips (Montero 64), Rodriguez, Gayle.

Unused subs: Bond, Bartley, Johansen, Field.

Sheffield United (3-5-2): Henderson; Stevens, Egan (Stearman 45), Cranie (Basham 75); Johnson, Freeman, Norwood, Fleck, Dowell; McGoldrick (Madine 64), Sharp (c).

Unused subs: Moore, Duffy, Coutts, Hogan.

Referee: Oliver Langford

Attendance: 24,928 (2,673 away)