Isaac Price proved the catalyst behind West Bromwich Albion’s dramatic 3-1 reversal of fortunes against promotion‑chasing Burnley in the Sky Bet Championship. The Northern Ireland winger found the back of the net twice in the second half, 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 encounter without their leading striker Zian Flemming, who was sidelined with a calf problem and was the subject of reported interest from French side Lille. The absence of their talisman proved costly, as the Clarets could not live up to the lofty expectations placed upon them and faltered dramatically after the break.
Following the defeat, Burnley manager Nicky Hayen was unable to give a definitive answer regarding Flemming’s future before the transfer window shuts on 1 September. Speaking to Sky Sports, Hayen explained, “If there is an offer that fits the club’s financial framework, a move could happen, but my preference is for him to stay. Everyone wants to reach the Premier League, so if that opportunity arises for him, fine – otherwise Zian remains with us.” The win kept Albion’s flawless start to the campaign intact, marking their third consecutive triumph across all competitions and their second league victory, which positioned them second in the early standings, just behind Millwall on goal‑difference. Meanwhile, Burnley suffered their inaugural loss of the season, leaving Hayen still searching for his first Championship win as the new manager.
The opening stages were fast‑paced, producing two goals within the first 18 minutes. In the eighth minute, Callum Styles inadvertently redirected Jacob Bruun Larsen’s cross into his own net, giving Burnley an early lead. Albion protested that Hannibal Mejbri had fouled Felix Horn Myhre far up the pitch during the build‑up, but the decision stood. Twenty minutes later, Whitwell restored parity, calmly slotting a low‑driven finish from twelve yards into the left side of goalkeeper Max Weiss’s frame – the 20‑year‑old’s first league goal for the club.
Burnley then came close to extending their advantage when Bruun Larsen’s effort clipped the post after a probing cross from Marcus Edwards. The first half ended with the scores level at 1‑1, setting the scene for a decisive second period.
The interval sparked a transformation. Inspired by Price’s energy, West Brom dominated the second half. In the 46th minute, Price opened the scoring for the home side, curling a precise strike beyond a stranded Weiss and into the far corner of the net, giving Albion the lead for the first time in the match.
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, yielded little impact.
Instead, Albion’s Bashir Humphreys was brought down in the box after a challenge on Whitwell, prompting the referee to award a clear penalty. Price stepped up to take the spot‑kick and did not disappoint. He calmly placed the ball low to the right of Weiss, who dived the wrong way, making the score 3‑1 and effectively sealing the win. West Brom manager James Morrison reflected on the performance, saying to Sky Sports, “When the pre‑season fixtures were released, you get a sense of the challenge ahead – ‘Oof, welcome back!’ But this was an opportunity to assert ourselves, and we did that.
My job is to keep us grounded. It’s only two games in, and the season will be long and demanding with ups and downs. We must keep working hard in training and see where it takes us.” Hayen, on the other hand, admitted his side were out‑classed, noting, “The victory was well‑deserved.
They had far more energy, won more duels and dominated second balls. We were too slow and far below the level we showed last week.
When we play at our best, we are a top‑team, but today we looked like an average side. We need to revert to the form we displayed last week because today we simply weren’t good enough.” The match also highlighted the broader context of the Championship’s early narrative. West Brom’s unbeaten run now stretches to three matches, with their attack showing signs of cohesion, especially after Price’s emergence as a decisive figure.
His two‑goal haul not only secured three points but also underscored his growing importance to the team’s offensive blueprint. Burnley, meanwhile, must grapple with the loss of Flemming and the need to find alternative goal‑scoring avenues.
The club’s transfer strategy will likely be scrutinised as the window closes, with Hayen balancing the desire to retain talent against the financial realities of the league. For fans eager to keep up with the Championship, Sky Sports offers a mobile app to stream games and a free highlights service, ensuring supporters can follow every twist and turn of the season.
As the campaign progresses, both clubs will look to build on this encounter – West Brom aiming to maintain momentum and Burnley seeking to bounce back and re‑establish themselves as promotion contenders. In summary, Isaac Price’s brilliance turned a tightly contested draw into a convincing win for West Brom, while Burnley’s early promise faded after a sluggish second half.
The result serves as a reminder of the Championship’s unpredictability and the fine margins that separate triumph from disappointment.