Isaac Price was the catalyst behind West Bromwich Albion's dramatic 3-1 reversal of fortunes against promotion hopefuls Burnley in the Sky Bet Championship. The Northern Irish forward delivered a brace in the second half at The Hawthorns, after he had already set up Harry Whitwell's equaliser, effectively erasing the own‑goal that Callum Styles had contributed earlier in the match. Burnley entered the game without their key 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 failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed upon them, delivering a lacklustre performance after the break. Following the defeat, Burnley manager Nicky Hayen was unable to confirm whether Flemming would remain at the club once the transfer window shuts on September 1.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hayen said, "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 kept Albion's perfect start to the season intact, marking their third consecutive triumph across all competitions and their second league victory, which placed them second in the early standings, just behind Millwall on goal difference. The club's momentum has been impressive, and the result further cemented their early‑season credentials. The match began at a frenetic pace, with two goals occurring within the first 18 minutes.
In the eighth minute, Callum Styles inadvertently turned the ball into his own net after a cross from Jacob Bruun Larsen found its way into the box. Albion later argued that Hannibal Mejbri had fouled Felix Horn Myhre during the build‑up, a challenge that took place roughly 70 yards from the goal, suggesting that the own‑goal might have been a consequence of that earlier infringement.
Harry Whitwell restored parity for West Brom in the 18th minute, calmly slotting a low finish from 12 yards out to the left of goalkeeper Max Weiss. It was Whitwell's first league goal for the club, and the 20‑year‑old celebrated the milestone with his teammates. Burnley came close to retaking the lead when Bruun Larsen's effort struck the foot of the post after a probing cross from Marcus Edwards, but the ball rebounded harmlessly.
The first half ended with the score level at 1‑1, setting the stage for a decisive second half. The break saw West Brom emerge with renewed vigor, largely driven by Isaac Price's influence. Just seconds after the restart, in the 46th minute, Price curled a precise shot beyond the advancing Weiss, who had been caught five yards off his line, and deposited the ball into the far corner, giving Albion a 2‑1 advantage for the first time in the match.
Burnley's manager responded by making three substitutions at the 57th minute, introducing Ugo Raghouber, Zeki Amdouni and Dastan Satpayev in an attempt to inject fresh energy. However, the changes failed to stem the tide.
Shortly thereafter, a penalty was awarded when Bashir Humphreys brought down Whitwell inside the box. Price stepped up and, without hesitation, sent a low, well‑placed strike to the right of Weiss, who dived the wrong way, making it 3‑1 and effectively sealing the win for West Brom. Post‑match, West Brom manager James Morrison reflected on the performance, telling Sky Sports, "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 equally candid, acknowledging his side's shortcomings: "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 result also marked Burnley's first defeat of the campaign, leaving their new manager still searching for his inaugural Championship victory.
For West Brom, the win not only extended their unbeaten run but also highlighted the importance of Price's contributions. His two‑goal haul and assist underscored his growing reputation as a decisive player capable of influencing high‑stakes matches.
Looking ahead, both clubs have clear objectives. West Brom will aim to maintain their strong start, hoping to build on the confidence generated by this comeback. Meanwhile, Burnley must regroup, address the fitness concerns surrounding Flemming, and find ways to restore the intensity that was lacking in the second half. The transfer window remains open, and any decisions regarding Flemming's future could have a significant impact on Burnley's ambitions for promotion.
Fans can continue to follow the action through Sky Sports' mobile platforms, which offer live streams, highlights, and exclusive content for Championship fixtures. The league promises more thrilling encounters as teams vie for promotion, and the narrative of this West Brom versus Burnley clash will be remembered as a testament to resilience, tactical adjustments, and the decisive influence of a single player stepping up when it matters most.