Isaac Price proved to be the catalyst for West Bromwich Albion's dramatic 3-1 reversal against promotion hopefuls 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 at The Hawthorns, after having already set up Harry Whitwell's equaliser, effectively erasing the own‑goal that Callum Styles had inadvertently gifted to the visitors in the opening stages. Burnley entered the match without their leading striker Zian Flemming, who was sidelined by a calf injury. The Dutch forward has been the subject of growing interest from French side Lille, and his absence was keenly felt as the Clarets struggled to live up to the lofty expectations placed upon them.
Their second‑half display was notably lacklustre, and the disappointment was palpable among the supporters and the coaching staff alike. Following the defeat, Burnley manager Nicky Hayen was unable to give a definitive answer regarding Flemming's future before the transfer window closes on September 1.
In an interview with Sky Sports he explained, "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." His comments highlighted the delicate balance between financial pragmatism and sporting ambition that many clubs face during the summer market. The victory kept Albion's perfect start to the season intact, marking their third consecutive win across all competitions and their second league triumph. The win also moved them up to second place in the early league table, trailing Millwall only on goal difference.
The team's early momentum has been a source of optimism for supporters who have endured a difficult period in recent years. For those following the action on the go, Sky offers a mobile streaming service that lets fans watch live EFL matches on their phones, as well as free Championship highlights for those who missed the action. Burnley's loss was their first of the campaign, and it underscored the challenges that new manager Nicky Hayen faces as he seeks his inaugural Championship victory. The match began at a frenetic pace, with two goals coming within the first 18 minutes.
Styles' own‑goal arrived in the eighth minute after a cross from Jacob Bruun Larsen forced a defensive error, while Albion later complained that Hannibal Mejbri had fouled Felix Horn Myhre deep in the build‑up, a claim that added to the early controversy. Harry Whitwell responded quickly, finding the back of the net in the 18th minute with a low finish from 12 yards out, beating goalkeeper Max Weiss and giving the 20‑year‑old his first league goal for West Brom.
Burnley came close to restoring their lead when Bruun Larsen's effort struck the post after a well‑timed cross from Marcus Edwards, but the ball rebounded harmlessly. The second half saw a complete shift in momentum.
Inspired by Price's energy, Albion dominated possession and created several clear chances. Price opened the scoring for his side in the 46th minute, curling a precise shot beyond a stranded Weiss into the far corner, giving West Brom a 2-1 lead for the first time in the match.
Burnley attempted to respond by making a triple substitution at the 57th minute, introducing Ugo Raghouber, Zeki Amdouni and Dastan Satpayev in hopes of revitalising their attack. The changes, however, failed to produce the desired effect.
Instead, West Brom doubled their advantage when Bashir Humphreys was brought down in the box, earning a penalty. Price stepped up confidently and dispatched the spot‑kick low to the right of the keeper, who dived the wrong way, making it 3-1.
After the final whistle, West Brom manager James Morrison spoke to Sky Sports about the team's performance and the challenges ahead. "When you start the pre‑season and see the fixtures come out and see the opposition you're like, 'Oof, welcome back!'" he said, acknowledging the difficulty of the schedule. "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 boss Nicky Hayen, meanwhile, accepted responsibility for his side's lackluster display. "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 admitted, highlighting the need for a swift tactical reassessment. The match also featured a range of off‑field engagements for fans, including a promotion to join Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest sports news, videos, features and analysis, as well as a chance to enter the Super 6 competition for a shot at a £1 million prize, with entry being free of charge.
Overall, the encounter showcased the fine margins that can dictate success in the Championship. West Brom's ability to turn the tide after an early setback, driven largely by Price's decisive contributions, demonstrated the depth and resilience of a squad eager to challenge for promotion. For Burnley, the loss serves as a reminder that injuries and squad changes can disrupt rhythm, and that swift adaptation will be essential if they are to fulfill the ambitions set for this season.