Beattie who has recently come back from injury made it three in three just like his team who recorded triple wins in a row. Liam Fontaine netted a terrific own-goal past his own keeper to net United's second.
It was cold in a 24,000 filled Bramall Lane. Chris Morgan lost his shirt due to a calf niggle and Greg Halford were a departure from the starting eleven due to his injury he sustained at Doncaster. Ehiogu and Cotterill who was playing against his former club replaced the duo.
United kicked-off and the ball fell to Stephen Quinn who scuffed his volley straight at Adriano Basso. Beattie and Ehiogu was inches away with their opportunities to break the deadlock while Billy Sharp had numerous chances but couldn't convert.
Beattie and Basso got tangled up in a scrap, but the United striker put egg on Basso's face in the closing stages of the 1st half when Cotterill's corner was volleyed in at the near-post by the former Everton front man on the stroke of half-time.
Adebola weren't getting past Kilgallon while Elliot headed a terrific chance for the Robins over the crossbar in the opening stages of the second period. The Blades broke away with Stephen Quinn who had a pop at goal with the ball deflecting of a defender. The ball went straight into the path of Beattie who was looking for his second of the encounter but Basso parried away Beattie's close-range blast.
Quinn's cross from a free-kick was flicked on into the top corner by Liam Fontaine (og) with Basso having no chance what so ever in front of the stand which is to be extended in the near future.
More goals came when Cotterill swung a ball into the area for James Beattie to head towards the goalkeeper who was distracted by Billy Sharp and the ball slipped through the legs of the Brazilian to see United score again!
Howard received a standing ovation when he made his debut in the 2nd-half. The Blades who have been waiting for a suitable replacement for Michael Brown saw some nice opening play from on-loan Howard.
He created an attack when he threaded the ball into the feet of Beattie who drilled the ball down low on the bar line into the box with Billy Sharp sliding in from 2 yards and put the ball agonisingly wide at the far-post.
Elliot looked for a consolation for City when he headed over the stranded Kenny with the ball destined to drop into the empty goal but goal hero James Beattie headed off the line to keep United's second clean sheet in a week.
Webber's top corner effort went high into the terraces, while Sharp and Beattie not being able to convert. Brian Howard had the last chance but blazed his 25 yard shot just past the post.
United recorded three wins in three and stand themselves in good stead for the Steel City Derby in a fortnight. | 
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