In-form striker Marcus Bent sent dismal West Brom crashing to their heaviest defeat of the season to leave them looking nervously at the First Division relegation zone.

The Baggies had Dutch midfielder Richard Sneekes sent off for an elbow on Michael Brown in the 38th minute but Bent had already headed United into a second-minute lead.

The 10 men of Albion capitulated and Bent wrapped up his hat-trick (45 and 51) before Paul Devlin, Alex Notman and Brown heaped more misery on beleaguered boss Brian Little.

United made the perfect start, opening their account after just 105 seconds as Bent was left unmarked in the six-yard box to head home Wayne Quinn's corner.

Both sides struggled to create chances in the opening half hour with midfielder Sneekes the only inspiration in a tight midfield.

The Blades fans were in uproar after 33 minutes as full-back Rob Kozluk was left in a heap on the floor following an off the ball clash - but after consulting with both linesmen referee George Cain took no action, although he did book Shaun Murphy and Lee Hughes after they faced up to each other.

The influential Sneekes wasn't so lucky five minutes later as he clattered his elbow into Blades midfielder Brown, leaving Cain with no option but to dismiss him.

United took full advantage, doubling their lead in the 45th minute as Brown dispossessed Sean Flynn down the left before sending in an inviting cross that Bent headed past Chris Adamson.

At the interval Albion boss Little brought on veteran midfielder Andy Townsend for star striker Lee Hughes - a pre-emptive decision to prevent him being sent off.

Lee Sandford headed over an early chance before Bent pounced for his third goal, firing home his 13th goal since joining United from close range after Adamson fumbled Shaun Derry's header.

Bent turned provider four minutes later as Adamson could only push away his goal-bound header as far as Devlin, who drove the ball into the net through the keeper's legs.

West Brom had no answer to the Blades onslaught and Notman fired home his first goal since his loan move from Manchester United, to compound their misery. Adamson could not hold Bobby Ford's shot and Notman had the simple task of slotting into the open net.

Derry then rattled the Albion bar before Bent limped off to be replaced by Laurent D'Jaffo who made his home debut.

The West Brom defence had little relief though as Brown added a sixth in the 82nd minute.

The ball broke to the former Manchester City midfielder on the edge of the box and he crashed home a superb dipping drive.

Teams

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Devlin, Kozluk, Murphy (Gysbrechts 82), Quinn, Sandford, Derry (Ribeiro 86), Brown, Ford,Bent (D'Jaffo 69), Notman.

Subs Not Used: Woodhouse, Katchouro.

Booked: Murphy.

Goals: Bent 2, 45, 51, Devlin 55, Notman 65, Brown 82.

West Brom: Adamson, Flynn, Carbon, Sneekes, Evans, Hughes (Townsend 46), Fredgaard, Hall, Raven, Chambers, Sigurdsson.

Subs Not Used: Morris, Van Blerk, Burgess, Quinn.

Sent Off: Sneekes (38).

Booked: Hughes, Raven.

Att: 14,519

Ref: G Cain (Bootle).