Isaac Price proved 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 Ireland international found the net twice in the second half, after having set up Harry Whitwell's equaliser, effectively erasing the early own‑goal that had given Burnley a fleeting lead. The match began with a flurry of action, and within the first ten minutes Burnley appeared to have the upper hand when Callum Styles inadvertently turned a Jacob Bruun Larsen cross into his own net.
Albion's players protested that Hannibal Mejbri had fouled Felix Horn Myhre far up the pitch, but the referee allowed the goal to stand. The early setback was quickly remedied when 20‑year‑old Whitwell slotted a low finish from twelve yards out, beating goalkeeper Max Weiss and restoring parity at 1‑1. Burnley, missing their key striker Zian Flemming due to a calf problem and amid reported interest from Lille, struggled to find rhythm after the opening exchanges. Their attempts to take the lead again were thwarted when Bruun Larsen's effort clipped the post after a precise cross from Marcus Edwards.
The first half ended with both sides level, but the atmosphere at The Hawthorns hinted that the home side were poised for something more. The second half belonged entirely to West Brom. Fresh from the break, Price took control of the game, showcasing his eye‑for‑goal and composure under pressure. In the 46th minute he curled a beautiful strike beyond a stranded Weiss, who had been caught out of position, sending the ball into the far corner and giving Albion a 2‑1 lead for the first time in the encounter.
The goal shifted the momentum decisively in West Brom's favour. Burnley's manager, Nicky Hayen, responded by making a triple substitution at the 57th minute, introducing Ugo Raghouber, Zeki Amdouni and Dastan Satpayev in an attempt to revive his side's fortunes.
However, the changes did not alter the course of the game. Instead, West Brom doubled down on their attacking intent. A penalty was soon awarded after Bashir Humphreys was brought down by Whitwell inside the box.
Price stepped up without hesitation, sending a low, well‑placed shot to the right of Weiss, who dived the wrong way, making it 3‑1 and effectively sealing the win. The victory marked Albion's third consecutive triumph across all competitions and their second league win of the season, keeping them perched second in the early standings, just behind Millwall on goal difference. It also represented Burnley's first defeat of the campaign and highlighted the challenges faced by their new boss, Hayen, who is still searching for his inaugural Championship win.
In the post‑match interviews, West Brom manager James Morrison praised his team's resilience. He told 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." Hayen, on the other hand, acknowledged 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," he said.
The match also raised questions about the future of Zian Flemming. With the transfer window set to close on September 1, Hayen admitted uncertainty regarding the striker's status.
"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," he explained to Sky Sports. Beyond the on‑field drama, the game underscored the growing importance of digital engagement for fans. Sky Sports encouraged viewers to follow their coverage via WhatsApp for the latest updates, highlights, and analysis, while also promoting free Championship highlights for those who prefer to catch up later.
The club's social media channels and the league's streaming platforms continue to expand their reach, offering supporters multiple ways to stay connected. Overall, Isaac Price's performance was the defining factor in West Brom's comeback. His two goals and the assist that sparked the equaliser demonstrated his growing influence within the squad and hinted at a bright future for the young international.
For Burnley, the loss serves as a wake‑up call to address tactical sluggishness and to solidify their attacking options before the transfer deadline looms. As the Championship season unfolds, both clubs will look to build on this encounter—Albion aiming to maintain their upward trajectory, and Burnley seeking to rebound and prove they can compete with the league's promotion contenders.