United missed the chance to close the gap on West Brom following a first league defeat of 2010.

A suspect penalty gave West Brom the initiative and the Blades were unable to recover - despite Darius Henderson netting his first goal since the end of November.

Graham Dorrans, Roman Bednar and Jerome Thomas were on target for the home side

Stewart and Henderson were recalled at the expense of Taylor, injured, and Evans, who dropped to the bench, prompting a switch to a 4-5-1 system with Ward and Cresswell supporting the leading goalscorer from the flanks. Yeates again had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes and West Brom included Bednar and Dorrans, both of whom were rated as doubts.

The sun was shining in the West Midlands, but the winter chill was not over, forcing a number of the outfield players to don gloves. The early action was frantic but with opportunities at a premium. Albion won the first corner and at the other end Ward's lay off was cut out just before Quinn arrived.

Thomas danced inside Harper and Fortune but his left-footer was blocked by Morgan and Carson was the first goalkeeper called into action, saving from Cresswell on 10 minutes after a quick throw by Henderson had caught the home defence cold.

On 19 minutes, Albion were gifted the lead thanks to two decisions that clearly benefitted the home side. In the build up Quinn was adjudged to have fouled when he was, if anything, the victim and then referee Russell thought a penalty was in order when the ball hit Montgomery, who was attempting to halt the progress of Dorrans. United's protests were arduous to the point of explaining to the official that he had made a mistake, but the spot-kick stood and DORRANS sent Bunn the wrong way.

Within five minutes there was a chance to get back on level terms when Mulumbu failed to clear but Ward's instinctive shot was saved by Carson and then Bednar missed from the centre of the goal, just six yards out, after a good move involving Koren and Jara.

But the striker made amends on the half hour. From a United free-kick, the Baggies broke away with a number of neat passes and Thomas found an unmarked BEDNAR, who had been involved earlier in the move, and he slid beyond Bunn into the corner of the net.

The second Albion goal prompted a rethink and for the remainder of the half Cresswell joined Henderson in attack with Quinn moving to the left. A slack back-pass by the Irish midfielder was cut out by Bednar but Bunn did well to force the striker wide and Koren was also off target for the home side.

Ward was prevented from a shooting chance by Olsson's challenge whilst the final opportunity of the first period fell to the home side but Koren's shot looked to be blocked by a combination of Fortune's arm and body but the referee, funnily enough, opted to ignore, although it didn't stop him being questioned about the earlier penalty decision by the Blades management as he left the pitch for his half-time cuppa.

It seemed to have the desired effect as within five minutes of the restart the Blades were also the recipients of a penalty. Walker, Ward and Quinn were all involved down the right before the latter's run was crudely halted by Mulumbu's clumsy challenge. The big shoulders of HENDERSON took responsibility and drilled the penalty past Carson.

United's revival, however, was stunted within a minute as the home side added a third. A quick break down the left resulted in Bednar taking the attentions of Fortune and THOMAS cutting inside before unleashing a shot which deflected off Morgan, taking the ball away from Bunn's reach.

Cresswell started the half in attack with Henderson and remained in that position with the Blades trying to reduce the two-goal deficit once more whilst the bit of spice creeping into the play was ended by referee Russell showing yellow cards to Quinn and Jara.

United were doing most of the second period's attacking, forcing Albion into two substitutions, whilst the visitors threw on Camara and Yeates to try and open up the home defence. From a Harper corner, Ward failed to keep down an acrobatic effort.

West Brom were still a threat on the break. A neat Cox pass resulted in Thomas beating Walker but his cross flew across the face of goal and Bednar was stopped by the offside flag.

On 85 minutes United's shouts for a second penalty went unrewarded for Olsson's lunge on Camara. A minor skirmish between the two resulted in words from the referee but no cards, although Brunt was cautioned soon after for a foul on Stewart.

Albion threw on more defensive cover for the closing minutes but from another break Bunn saved from Dorrans and, at the other end, the Baggies defence protected Carson well to negotiate the four minutes of injury-time.

WBA: Carson, Olsson, Cech, Koren (Cox 66), Bednar, Brunt, Thomas (Mattock 88), Dorrans, Mulumbu, Tamas, Jara (Zuiverloon 70).
Unused: Kiely, Miller, Moore, Meite.

Blades: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Henderson (Camara 73), Harper, Cresswell, Ward, Stewart, Quinn (Yeates77), Fortune, Walker.
Unused: France, Evans, Williamson, Bennett, Geary.