Ryan Mason showed little emotion as the final whistle blew at The Hawthorns, but inside there must have been deep satisfaction in the way his team had outwitted an in-form Sheffield United side.
West Brom had appeared brittle, lax and low on confidence in the first half of this Friday night tussle.
Sheffield United troubled the home side on numerous occasions. West Brom's restless fans jeered careless moments of indecision and only one side seemed destined for victory.
That all changed after the break and those same supporters will hope the level of intensity and aggression from their team doesn't relent as they emerge from the run of form that has put Mason's coaching under the spotlight.