Isaac Price proved to be the catalyst for West Bromwich Albion’s dramatic 3‑1 reversal against promotion‑hopeful Burnley in the Sky Bet Championship, delivering a performance that will be remembered by fans for weeks to come. The Northern Irish forward found the net twice in the second half, after first assisting Harry Whitwell’s equaliser, effectively erasing the early own‑goal scored by Callum Styles and turning the tide in Albion’s favour. Burnley entered the match without their leading striker Zian Flemming, who was sidelined with a calf problem and was also the subject of transfer interest from French side Lille.
The absence of their talisman was felt as the Clarets struggled to replicate the confidence they had shown in pre‑season, ultimately delivering a lacklustre display after the interval. Following the defeat, manager Nicky Hayen was unable to give a definitive answer regarding Flemming’s future, noting that any move would depend on the club’s financial situation and the player’s own ambitions to reach the Premier League. Hayen told Sky Sports, "If there is an offer that suits the finances of the club, then maybe the transfer can be done, but I want him to stay.
Everyone has the ambition to play in the Premier League, so if he can make that step then okay, everything should be in place, but as long as that's not the case, Zian stays with us." The win marked Albion’s third consecutive triumph across all competitions and their second league victory of the campaign, cementing their position in second place behind Millwall on goal‑difference after a flawless start to the season. The match also handed Burnley their first loss of the campaign, a disappointing result for new boss Nicky Hayen, who is still awaiting his inaugural Championship win.
The opening stages of the game were frenetic, producing two goals within the first 18 minutes. In the eighth minute, Callum Styles inadvertently put his own net behind him after a cross from Jacob Bruun Larsen found its way to the defender.
Albion’s side argued that Hannibal Mejbri had fouled Felix Horn Myhre further up the pitch, a claim that added a layer of controversy to the early setback. However, the visitors responded swiftly: in the 18th minute, 20‑year‑old Harry Whitwell slotted a low finish from twelve yards out to the left of goalkeeper Max Weiss, leveling the score and marking his first league goal for the club. Burnley came close to retaking the lead when Bruun Larsen’s cross from Marcus Edwards forced a scramble that saw the ball strike the post.
The first half ended with the teams level at 1‑1, setting the stage for a decisive second half. The interval proved to be a turning point.
Inspired by Price’s energy, West Brom took control and began to dominate possession. In the very first minute after the break, Price opened the scoring for Albion.
He curled a precise shot past a slightly out‑of‑position Weiss, who had drifted five yards off his line, sending the ball into the far corner and giving the home side a 2‑1 lead. Burnley attempted to respond by making three substitutions at the 57th minute, introducing Ugo Raghouber, Zeki Amdouni and Dastan Satpayev in hopes of revitalising their attack. The changes, however, did not yield the desired effect. Instead, Albion continued to press, and a penalty was soon awarded when Bashir Humphreys was brought down in the box by Whitwell.
Price stepped up and calmly converted, sending a low drive to the right of Weiss, whose dive in the wrong direction left the ball untouched. The successful spot‑kick extended the lead to 3‑1, a scoreline that would hold until the final whistle.
Post‑match, West Brom manager James Morrison reflected on the performance, saying, "When you start the pre‑season and see the fixtures come out and see the opposition you're like, 'Oof, welcome back!' But it was an opportunity to impose ourselves, and we've been doing that, and it's my job to keep us firmly on the ground. It's been two games, and it's going to be a long, hard season with ups and downs, but we've got to keep working hard on the training pitch and see what happens." Burnley’s boss Nicky Hayen was more candid about his side’s shortcomings. He told Sky Sports, "It was totally deserved. They had much more energy than us, winning duels and second balls.
We played too slowly and were far away from the level last week. If we play at our best, we're a top team, but if you play like this, you're an average team, and we have to go back to what we did last week because today we weren't good enough." The match highlighted several broader themes within the Championship.
Firstly, the importance of depth and adaptability was evident; West Brom’s ability to replace an early own‑goal with a forward thrust demonstrated tactical flexibility. Secondly, the impact of injuries on squad planning was underscored by Burnley’s struggle without Flemming, whose potential departure adds an extra layer of uncertainty to the Clarets’ promotion aspirations. Finally, the game served as a reminder of the fine margins that separate success from disappointment in England’s second tier, where a single moment—such as Price’s penalty—can dictate the narrative of an entire season.
For fans eager to keep up with the latest developments, Sky Sports offers a range of ways to stay connected, from mobile streaming of EFL matches to free Championship highlight reels. As the season progresses, both clubs will look to build on this performance: West Brom aiming to maintain their strong start and push for promotion, while Burnley will regroup under Hayen’s guidance, hoping to bounce back and re‑establish themselves as serious contenders for a return to the Premier League. In summary, Isaac Price’s double‑strike and assist were instrumental in West Brom’s comeback win, providing a vivid illustration of how individual brilliance combined with collective effort can overturn early setbacks.
The result not only solidified Albion’s early‑season momentum but also exposed Burnley’s vulnerabilities, setting the stage for an intriguing remainder of the campaign.