West Bromwich Albion's Aune Heggebo (left) and George Campbell celebrate the former's goal against Sheffield UnitedShutterstock

West Brom striker Aune Heggebo took his Championship tally for the season to eight goals with the opener against Sheffield United

Ian Woodcock
BBC Sport England

West Bromwich Albion picked up a much-needed win to end Sheffield United's six-game unbeaten run in the Championship.

Gus Hamer forced a fine early save from Albion goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith as the Blades started the brighter of the two in a quiet first half.

The home side took the lead shortly after the restart when Aune Heggebo confidently slotted home his seventh goal in his past seven matches from George Campbell's low cross.

Ryan Mason's men had won just one of their past five matches but were dominant after going ahead and doubled their lead when Karlan Grant thundered a shot in off the underside of the bar.

Replays showed Grant clipped the heels of United defender Mark McGuinness as he latched on to Heggebo's pass but a second goal was no less than they deserved and Ousmane Diakite should have made it three soon after but sliced over from a few yards.

Victory moved Albion back up to 14th and three points off the top six, while Chris Wilder's Blades stay 17th.

More Hawthorns home comforts for Albion

The victory was a fifth in 10 home league games for Mason's side, while they have lost eight of their 11 games on the road.

Successive reverses at QPR and Southampton meant the rookie boss came into this game under pressure for a result, which, ultimately, they picked up with something to spare.

It was the Blades, who made six changes from the 1-1 draw with Norwich on Tuesday, who looked the most likely for the majority of the first half with Hamer's rifled effort drawing a quality save from Wildsmith and Patrick Bamford failing to make the most of a decent opportunity after lax Albion play at the back.

Heggebo missed a good chance to put the hosts in front just before the break when he miscued but the Norway international quickly made amends.

The in-form 24-year-old striker was involved in the build up to the goal with some good forward play to get the ball out wide to Campbell down the right and he did not have to break stride to convert the American's low cross.

With his side suddenly looking off the pace, Wilder quickly made two changes but it was 2-0 moments later.

Grant got his first of the campaign in Tuesday's 3-2 loss at Southampton and made it two in two with a blistering 18-yard strike.

Complaints from McGuinness that he was tripped by Grant fell on deaf ears and thereafter the lacklustre Blades never threatened to get back into the match and West Brom looked capable of adding further gloss to the scoreline.

Wilder: 'Really annoyed and angry'

What's next?

Albion will look to build on this and end their poor away form when they travel to Hull City next Saturday, while United host Birmingham City on the same afternoon.

'As angry as I've been for a long time' - Blades reaction

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"I'm really annoyed and angry. As annoyed and angry as I've been for a long, long time.

"I didn't see it coming, I thought first half we were pretty good but you have to be more clinical. Everyone in the ground smelt the atmosphere before and the vulnerability of the opponent and that is when you have to be at your ruthless best.

"We've just allowed them to dominate the game and never looked like getting back in it. It felt like they thought the game would come to them and they didn't need to do the fundamental basics.

"I apologise for that, we have to own it. We need to stick our chests out and take the criticism that comes our way for a second half performance that was miles off it and I mean miles off it.

"It could quite easily have been three or four and we couldn't have had any complaints. It's a massive backwards step.

"It was limp, lacklustre and everything I hate in a player and as a team. I have had to express that to the players."

Heggebo 'in a good moment' - West Brom reaction

West Brom boss Ryan Mason told BBC Radio WM:

"They had a few chances in the first half and it was important we hung in there and we did, which pleased me massively. At times this season when we've been up against it we've conceded and it's changed the feeling of the game.

"Second half we got a second wind. We played a really good game and got a goal and then a second goal which we haven't done enough this season.

"There was a bit of anxiety and nervousness in the first 20 minutes and you could feel it. It was a bit ugly and sometimes you have to make good football decisions.

"The players deserved the win in my opinion."

(On Heggebo) "We're so happy with him, we really feel like his relationships are developing with his team-mates. We can see his potential and he has so much room to grow. He's in a good moment."

Player of the match

A. Heggebø
8.51
19 A. Heggebø
8.51
10 K. Ahearne-Grant
7.72
11 M. Johnston
7.58
4 C. Styles
7.30
6 G. Campbell
7.07
3 N. Phillips
7.04
23 J. Wildsmith
7.00
5 K. Bielik
6.97
8 J. Molumby
6.95
21 I. Price
6.47
17 O. Diakité
6.30
12 D. Dike
5.90
29 C. Taylor
5.84
22 S. Iling-Junior
5.44
Back to team tabs

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

Related topics