ALBION came from behind to claim an impressive 2-1 victory against Sheffield United in a high-tempo Sky Bet Championship encounter at Bramall Lane.
Kieran Gibbs drilled home a 76th-minute winner, his third goal of the season, to seal three hard-fought points from an open and entertaining Friday night clash in South Yorkshire.
Man of the match Gareth Barry had pulled the Baggies level with a fine finish just before half-time, opening his account for 2018/19, to cancel out David McGoldrick's early strike on the counter-attack for the Blades.
Just one point and two places separated the two sides at the top end of the table heading into the match but victory sees Albion leapfrog United and extends their unbeaten run to six matches heading into the festive period.
Head Coach Darren Moore, who scored at both ends in the club's last win at Bramall Lane in 2004, named an unchanged side from the draw against Aston Villa.
Sam Johnstone was called into action to save well from McGoldrick in the 12th minute, yet he could not deny the Blades frontman less than a minute later as he slotted in off the far post having been sent through by Mark Duffy on the counter.
The Blades certainly dominated the opening quarter, with Albion struggling to create an opening, although the visitors grew into the first half as it progressed.
Dwight Gayle saw his effort well blocked from a corner routine before Jack O'Connell's cross-come-shot deflected narrowly wide at the other end.
Yet, with half-time approaching, Albion drew level courtesy courtesy of Barry's second goal for the club.
United failed to fully clear their lines and Gibbs fed the ball out wide to Harvey Barnes, who skipped into the penalty area and cut the ball back for the onrushing Barry to drill home from 12 yards.
Albion saw appeals waved away early in the second half after Gayle, racing through, was sent tumbling by covering Blades defender O'Connell.
A furious end-to-end encounter after the restart saw both sides threaten.
Moore's men went close just after the hour mark when Barnes saw his delicate chip deflected over by goalkeeper Dean Henderson having been sent clear by Gayle in a two-on-one break.
Yet it was left for Gibbs to seal the points.
Phillips did superbly down the right wing and sent a deep cross to Barnes, who controlled and sent a delicate back-heel for Gibbs to drill low into the far corner.
ALBION: Johnstone, Adarabioyo, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs, Phillips, Barry, Livermore (c), Gayle, Rodriguez, Barnes (Brunt 90+3).
Subs: Myhill, Townsend, Mears, Harper, Sako, Burke.