Warnock watched his beloved Blades beat West Ham 3-0 in a crucial relegation showdown at Bramall Lane to haul themselves out of the bottom three.

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 result ended United's barren run which had seen them take one point from their previous five games, as well as bringing to an end the Hammers' resurgent three-match winning streak.

The Blades, though, are still six points from the fabled 40-point mark, and Warnock knows they remain some way from the finishing line.

"From our point of view we knew it was an important game," said Warnock.

"I don't think there was anything significant in the result other than we showed we are still very much in it after people had written us off over the last few weeks.

"I think the media have presumed both West Ham and Charlton would finish above us.

"But we have brought other teams into it now, which we wanted to do, and I don't think anybody can say who is safe and who is not.

"But we have given ourselves a fighting chance because of the way we have played. From start to finish we were good.

"We won as a team, with the strikers defending from the front, and with Paddy Kenny making a great save at 1-0.

"We thoroughly deserved it. I thought we looked a Premiership side out there today."

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley cannot say the same thing as they are now staring relegation firmly in the face again.

With games to come against Chelsea, Everton, Bolton and Manchester United, the situation is looking bleak for Curbishley and his players.

Attempting to put a positive spin on the situation, he said: "For the last couple of weeks we have known that we need to win most of our games - that hasn't changed.

"For the last couple of weeks we have been looking at other people's results - and that won't change.

"We play Chelsea and Everton in our next two games, and who knows? It could be six points.

"We have to go into the games trying to win them, and to give it our best shot. Things could change dramatically by the end of next Saturday."

A tense first half shaded by the home side exploded in the 38th minute when Tonge scored a stunning free-kick from just outside the area.

Kenny then pulled off a fine one-handed stop from Lucas Neill just before the hour that was followed by Carlos Tevez driving a rising shot over the bar from 10 yards.

Warnock's men then made the game safe in the 68th minute when captain Jagielka headed home a Keith Gillespie corner.

Ten minutes later, Stead completed a comprehensive victory with a magnificent solo effort, cutting in from the right wing, beating Anton Ferdinand and firing home a left-foot drive.

Appreciating why his side are in such a mess, Curbishley added: "The vital games we have had since I came to the club we have lost such as against Charlton, Watford and here, while we also dropped points to Fulham.

"They are big games. We have not done enough against the teams around us. That's been our big problem.

"Sheffield United have clawed away from us now, but there's still a long way to go, and I don't think they will think they are safe."