Isaac Price proved to be the catalyst behind 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 supporters for weeks to come. The Northern Ireland international 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 inadvertently contributed to earlier in the match.
Burnley entered the game without their leading striker Zian Flemming, who was sidelined with a calf problem and was also the subject of growing interest from French side Lille. The absence of their talisman was felt as the Clarets failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed on them, particularly during the latter stages of the encounter. Following the defeat, manager Nicky Hayen was unable to confirm whether Flemming would remain at the club once the transfer window shuts on 1 September.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hayen 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." The win allowed Albion to maintain a flawless start to their campaign, marking their third consecutive triumph across all competitions and their second league victory, which placed them second in the early standings behind Millwall on goal‑difference.
Meanwhile, Burnley suffered their inaugural loss of the season, leaving new boss Nicky Hayen still searching for his first Championship win. The opening 18 minutes were eventful, featuring two goals. Styles inadvertently put the ball into his own net in the eighth minute after a cross from Jacob Bruun Larsen. Albion later claimed that Hannibal Mejbri had fouled Felix Horn Myhre during the build‑up, a sequence that unfolded roughly 70 yards from goal.
Just ten minutes later, Whitwell restored parity by sliding a low finish into the left side of goalkeeper Max Weiss from 12 yards out, marking the 20‑year‑old's maiden league goal for the club. Burnley came close to retaking the lead when Bruun Larsen's effort clipped the post after a probing cross from Marcus Edwards.
The second half saw a complete transformation in the game's rhythm. Inspired by Price's energy, West Brom took control and began to dominate proceedings. In the 46th minute, Price gave Albion the lead for the first time, curling a shot beyond a slightly out‑of‑position Weiss into the far corner of the net.
Burnley attempted to respond by making three substitutions at the 57th minute, introducing Ugo Raghouber, Zeki Amdouni and Dastan Satpayev, but the changes failed to alter the momentum. The decisive moment arrived when Bashir Humphreys was brought down in the box, awarding Albion a clear penalty.
Price stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick low to the right of Weiss, who dived the wrong way, extending the lead and effectively sealing the match. West Brom's 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." Hayen was candid about his team's shortcomings, admitting, "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." Beyond the immediate result, the match highlighted several broader themes.
First, the importance of depth: Burnley's reliance on Flemming became evident when his absence left a creative void that the team could not fill. Second, the impact of youthful exuberance: both Price and Whitwell, still in their early twenties, demonstrated that fresh legs and confidence can tip the balance in tightly contested fixtures. Finally, the tactical adaptability displayed by Morrison underscored West Brom's willingness to adjust quickly after a shaky start, a quality that will be essential as the Championship season progresses. Looking ahead, West Brom will aim to build on this momentum, seeking to solidify their position near the top of the table while maintaining the attacking flair that has defined their early games.
Burnley, on the other hand, must regroup, address their sluggish second‑half performances, and perhaps reconsider their transfer strategy concerning Flemming as the window draws to a close. The narrative of this encounter serves as a reminder that in the Championship, no lead is safe and every match can pivot on a single moment of brilliance or a lapse in concentration. For fans wanting to stay updated, Sky Sports offers live coverage of EFL games on mobile devices, free Championship highlights, and a range of additional content via WhatsApp, ensuring that supporters never miss a beat in the fast‑moving world of English football.