Sheffield United striker Tyrese Campbell has scored three goals in his past four games, having failed to score in his first seven games for the club
Sheffield United went level on points with Championship leaders Sunderland with a deserved win over local rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
After a largely forgettable first 45 minutes, the home side made a great start to the second half when Tyrese Campbell finished coolly after being slipped in by Callum O'Hare.
The Owls struggled to create anything of note in response, with sub Djeidi Gassama going closest when he curled a shot wide.
The Blades have now kept six successive clean sheets at Bramall Lane and did not so much as allow their rivals a single shot on target.
Going into the third international break of the season, Chris Wilder's men look well-placed to challenge for an immediate return to the Premier League.
The first Steel City derby since March 2019 predictably began at a frenetic pace but neither side could force a save of note in the first half.
The past three games between the two sides had ended goalless but the hosts upped the tempo after the break and took the lead when Campbell scored his third goal in four matches.
They looked to press home their advantage but Wednesday weathered the storm, as Gustavo Hamer's ball into the area was just too high for winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi to get contact on.
Owls boss Danny Rohl made all five of his subs as he sought a way back into it and Gassama and fellow replacement Anthony Musaba both had bright moments.
Home goalkeeper Michael Cooper was never worked though and Wednesday have failed to score against United in the past four meetings.
What a difference six months makes
It seems hard to believe that just six months ago Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League with just 16 points in 38 matches.
Wilder has completely rejuvenated the squad as he looks to mastermind an immediate return to the top tier and seven of Sunday's 11 starters joined the Blades in the summer.
It was apt that two of them, O'Hare and Campbell, linked up for the game's decisive moment as the duo, who both joined on free transfers, combined for what proved to be the only shot on target in the entire match.
After conceding 104 goals in the Premier League last season, United's early-season success has been based on a watertight defence.
Centre-backs Harry Souttar and Anel Ahmedhodzic both had near flawless games in front of Cooper.
They will look to pick up from here when they travel to Coventry City after the international break.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder:
"There's a lot of pressure on you and you can't get away from it. It was a tight game decided by one bit of quality.
"I'd have loved for us to have played the kind of football we'd played over the first 14 games but the biggest thing is we got the result.
"The players stood up and saw it out. You've seen a team that's really connected with the supporters. It wasn't a game of high quality but derbies normally aren't.
"The reaction to go four wins on the bounce (after back-to-back losses) is an incredible achievement. I'm not saying we've won anything because the season doesn't end after 15 games, but we're in a good place."
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl:
"A tough one, neither team deserved to win today, there was one shot on target.
"They scored (their one chance) and that is the difference at the top of the table.
"We changed the shape to bring on more and more attacking players and we felt we could hurt them. We created more and more but there was no rhythm.
"We spoke about them being dangerous in the second wave from set pieces. We made some silly fouls in key areas and that's something we need to improve."
