Goals from Billy Sharp and Matthew Kilgallon made it three wins in a row Sheffield United after Norwich were beaten 2-0 at Bramall Lane.Blades striker Sharp, a summer signing from Scunthorpe for whom he scored 32 times last season, got his first goal for his hometown club in midweek against Coventry and he did not have to wait that long for his second.

He broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute and Kevin Blackwell's side seized control of a hard-fought encounter four minutes later when Matt Kilgallon headed home David Carney's corner as the Canaries crashed to a third straight defeat.

The only negative for Blackwell, who succeeded Bryan Robson at Bramall Lane in mid-February, was the sight of Rob Hulse limping out of the action.

Former West Brom and Leeds striker Hulse, making his first start since February 9, hit the post with a 25-yard shot nine minutes before the break, but was later replaced by Jonathan Stead.

There were chances at each end in an even first period but neither side could find the finishing touch.

The Blades started on the front foot, with Gary Speed seeing his early shot blocked and Kilgallon and Sharp also firing in on goal.

Hulse's header from David Cotterill's cross was well-held by Norwich goalkeeper David Marshall, while the visitors had to wait until the 18th minute before their first shot, Gibbs' 20-yard effort flashing wide of the target.

Jamie Cureton then forced Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny into a fine low save with a left-footed shot from 25 yards, before Sharp was wayward again when well-placed inside the penalty area.

United almost broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Hulse collected the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a shot with rebounded back off the post with Marshall well beaten.

Darren Huckerby then dragged his shot wide from inside the area and Matthew Pattison was off target from 20 yards as the first 45 minutes ended goalless.

Norwich were first to threaten after the break through Alex Pearce, but the City defender's long-range effort did not trouble Kenny.

The match then swung on four minutes of action.

Sharp pounced in the box to convert his second league goal for United, low into the bottom corner from six yards in the 52nd minute.

Australian winger Carney swung over a corner two minutes later and Kilgallon rose at the far post to head home his first goal since December and only his second of the season.

Norwich responded shortly after the hour-mark when Cureton forced Kenny into a finger-tip save with an angled shot from inside the area.

Cureton then lashed in a 25-yard effort straight at the Blades' goalkeeper, who was well-placed to hold Evans' drive three minutes later.

Dion Dublin replaced Ched Evans with 12 minutes left and fired a long-range shot just wide but only a smart save from Marshall denied Cotterill adding a third for the home side from 25 yards in the 85th minute.

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