Sheffield United produced a rousing performance to haul themselves out of the relegation zone and pile the pressure on West Ham.

A breathtaking free-kick from Michael Tonge towards the end of the first half was followed by a second-half header from captain Phil Jagielka and a stunning individual effort from Jon Stead.

The vital win at Bramall Lane ended the Blades' barren run which had seen them take one point from their previous five games, as well as ending the Hammers' three-match winning streak.

Although still six points from the fabled 40-point safety mark, manager Neil Warnock will feel confident his side can avoid the drop.

As for West Ham boss Alan Curbishley, with games against Chelsea, Everton, Bolton and Manchester United to come - the latter on the final day - their hopes of survival are looking bleak.

No quarter was given in the early exchanges with referee Steve Bennett also making it clear he would stand for no nonsense with a seventh-minute booking for the lively Colin Kazim-Richards for a studs-first challenge on Anton Ferdinand.

While the commitment remained high, chances were rare to such an extent neither Robert Green nor Paddy Kenny had a save to make.

Kazim-Richards and Christian Nade showed flashes of skill at times but the Blades often appeared reluctant to push bodies into the box.

Their best effort before Tonge's opener arrived in the 10th minute with Kazim-Richards scuffing a 10-yard effort after three West Ham players failed to clear a right-wing cross from Keith Gillespie.

A 33rd-minute corner epitomised United's caution as Gillespie held his arms out in disgust as Green picked off the inswinger in a virtually deserted six-yard box.

With United at least the more urgent side, it meant the Hammers relied on the counter, with one attempt from Carlos Tevez curled over the crossbar from 20 yards.

Another culminated in a toe-poked cross from Bobby Zamora headed wide by a diving Lee Bowyer, who was one of three players booked in the half along with Kazim-Richards and Ferdinand.

When Ferdinand then baulked the surging run of Nade a vociferous crowd called for his dismissal but referee Bennett kept his cards in his pocket.

Punishment enough soon arrived courtesy of Tonge's thunderous 20-yard free-kick into the top left-hand corner that gave Green no chance.

The Hammers finally upped the tempo after the break and should have at least been level just after the hour, only to succumb to another Blades set-piece in the 68th minute.

Right-back Lucas Neill first charged towards goal and unleashed a stinging left-foot drive that forced a brilliant, one-handed save from Kenny in the 55th minute.

Seven minutes later another Hammers attack led to a loose ball falling to the dangerous Tevez.

But after brilliantly taking out two defenders with a drop of his right shoulder, the Argentinian cleared the crossbar with a rising drive.

Curbishley then made a double change in the 66th minute, with Luis Boa Morte and Hayden Mullins on for Etherington and Bowyer, but two minutes later his side were cut adrift.

On this occasion Jagielka outjumped Zamora in meeting a Gillespie corner to plant a downward header in the bottom left-hand corner of Green's net for his fourth goal of the season.

Ten minutes later and the points were in the bag for the Blades courtesy of the goal of the game from Stead.

Instigated by Derek Geary intercepting a Mullins pass just outside his own area, the Irishman then sprayed a long ball upfield for Stead to chase.

From wide on the right wing there was still work to do but he superbly cut inside, taking on and beating Ferdinand before despatching a low, left-foot shot beyond Green.

The smile on Warnock's face, and beleaguered look on Curbishley's, said it all.

Teams

Sheff Utd Kenny, Geary, Jagielka, Davis (Morgan 56),Armstrong, Gillespie, Tonge, Montgomery,Kazim-Richards (Webber 83), Nade (Alan Quinn 61), Stead.

Subs Not Used: Shelton, Kozluk.

Booked: Kazim-Richards, Jagielka.

Goals: Tonge 39, Jagielka 68, Stead 78.

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

Subs Not Used: Walker, Spector.

Booked: Bowyer, Ferdinand, Tevez.

Att: 31,593

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).