United leaped back out of the Barclays Premiership bottom three with a scintillating display against a relegation-threatened West Ham at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

The Blades also did their goal difference the power of good thanks to impressive strikes from Michael Tonge and Jon Stead, either side of Phil Jagielka's header.

The game was billed as a must-win encounter for both teams and United rose to the occasion to end a five-match winless run and, in the process, end West Ham's run of three consecutive successes.

The sun shone down on Bramall Lane - surely the hottest of the year so far - as West Ham kicked off with the Blades attacking the Halliwells Stand end. A vociferous crowd continued to increase the decibel level.

United, who lined up with Kazim-Richards on the left-hand side, won a corner after two minutes in what was a fast-and-furious opening, but Green snuffed out the early danger for his side.
On six minutes Kazim-Richards was booked for a studs-up tackle on Ferdinand as he contested a ball on the edge of the Hammers' box and then, on the break, dangerman Tevez fired a curling effort from 25 yards high over Kenny's crossbar.

United kept the ball moving well and, in the eighth minute, good work by Stead saw Gillespie's right-wing cross come through to Kazim-Richards at the back post but his slip sent the ball spooning high and wide.

On 21 minutes, the lively Kazim-Richards fed Nade at the by-line, he cut onto his right foot and struck a powerful drive which cannoned off the chest of Collins - shouts for handball dismissed - and West Ham cleared their lines.

Trying to catch United on the break, West Ham advanced forward in the 28th minute with Reo-Coker through the middle and Tevez's tame shot was sent wide by Davis. Zamora's header from Etherington's corner drifted well wide.

West Ham had a fortunate escape in the 37th minute when Ferdinand, who had already been booked, brought Nade down on the edge of the box as the striker looked to burst through. Ferdinand escaped a second caution - but his indiscretion was punished with the Blades' opening goal.

Armstrong and Tonge stood over the free-kick - and it was TONGE who struck it, belting an absolute cracker from 20 yards off the underside of the crossbar past a well-beaten Green.

Edging their noses in front gave the home side a psychological lift as their excellent fans raised the roof with their vocal chords. United just didn't want the half to end and, after two minutes of added time, Hammers boss Alan Curbishley cut a concerned figure on the touchline.

United got the second-half underway, attacking the Kop end, looking to continue where they left off in the first period. West Ham registered the first effort on goal when Noble sent a long-range strike sailing over Kenny's upright, before a Tevez free-kick from the left flank evaded everyone and went out for a goal-kick at the back post.

The storm that United expected from the Hammers in the opening ten minutes of the second-half never materialised as the Blades scrapped for every ball and continued to set a high tempo. In the 55th minute, West Ham fired a warning shot when a fine move saw Noble wriggle his way into the box but a superbly-timed, brave tackle from an injured Davis kept out the midfielder's shot.

That heroic action was Davis' last - he received good applause as he was replaced by Morgan at the heart of United's defence. Morgan's leadership qualities would aid the Blades with over half an hour still to play.

West Ham had upped their game with Tevez, in particular, proving to be a thorn in the Blades' side. The fiery Argentinean flashed in a dangerous cross from the right and Zamora, looking the favourite to get there, missed it and United hacked to safety.

Then, on 58 minutes, Tevez tore down the right, played the ball inside to Neill and he hit a hard, low strike from the egde of the box which drew a super one-handed stop from Kenny. Warnock's first change, on the hour-mark, replaced Nade's tiring legs with the fresh legs of Alan Quinn, but also broke up West Ham's momentum. Stead was now the lone man up front with Quinn joining Montgomery and Tonge in midfield.

On 62 minutes, the relentless Tevez did everything right for his side - cutting past Montgomery and Armstrong on the right - but he sent his attempted curler high over the crossbar.

Following substitutions, Stead's persistence won United a corner. Gillespie clipped in a teasing outswinger and up climbed JAGIELKA above Ferdinand to power a brilliant header into the far bottom corner of the net, as Green's scramble across his goal was in vain.

At the other end, on 71 minutes, Noble fired a right-foot volley inches wide of Kenny's post - but it mattered little, as the Bladesmen were in full voice.

United fans sung a chorus of 'Stand up if you're staying up' as they looked hungry for another goal. And wishes were granted when, on 78 minutes, the Blades went 3-0 up.

Geary's ball down the right flank saw STEAD take it inside Ferdinand before smashing a sweet left-foot drive from the edge of the box across the goalkeeper and into the far corner. Warnock, who had urged caution from his side after the first two goals, could afford to grin after this one - the gloss on a fine performance.

Bramall Lane was a cauldron of noise as United sensibly played the channels in a bid to keep the pressure on the visitors. On 83 minutes, Kazim-Richards was given a warm reception for an honest, lively display as he made way for Webber who slotted in on the left. Two minutes later, Boa Morte flashed a cross-cum-shot well wide of the target from the right touchline.

With two minutes to go, Tevez - West Ham's best player of the afternoon - was booked by Steve Bennett for diving - the same referee who gave two penalties against the Blades versus Liverpool in February. As injury-time was entered, United appeared more than comfortable and it was just a case of seeing out the final few minutes of what was arguably the Blades' best performance of the season.

Blades: Kenny, Davis (Morgan 56), Jagielka, Stead, Montgomery, Tonge, Gillespie, Armstrong, Geary, Nade (A. Quinn 61), Kazim-Richards (Webber 83).
Unused: Shelton, Kozluk.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, McCartney, Etherington (Boa Morte 65), Collins, Reo Coker, Noble (Blanco 73), Zamora, Bowyer (Mullins 65), Tevez.
Unused: Spector, Walker.