Isaac Price was the catalyst for West Bromwich Albion’s dramatic 3‑1 reversal against promotion‑chasing Burnley in the Sky Bet Championship, delivering a second‑half brace that turned the tide at The Hawthorns. The Northern Irish forward not only found the net twice but also set up Harry Whitwell’s equaliser, erasing the damage caused by Callum Styles’ own goal earlier in the match.
Burnley entered the game without their leading striker Zian Flemming, who was sidelined with a calf problem while clubs such as Lille showed interest in the 22‑year‑old. The Dutchman’s absence was keenly felt as the Clarets struggled to live up to the high expectations that surrounded them, ultimately delivering a lacklustre performance after the interval.
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 said, “If an offer matches the club’s finances, the move could happen, but I would prefer him to stay. Everyone wants to play in the Premier League, so if he gets that chance it’s fine, otherwise Zian remains with us.” The win kept Albion’s flawless start to the campaign intact, marking their third consecutive victory across all competitions and their second league triumph, which placed them second in the early standings, just 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 stages were frenetic, producing two goals within the first 18 minutes. In the eighth minute, Callum Styles inadvertently turned his own net after a cross from Jacob Bruun Larsen, a moment Albion protested, claiming Hannibal Mejbri had fouled Felix Horn Myhre far up the pitch during the build‑up. Nevertheless, the game was levelled in the 18th minute when 20‑year‑old Harry Whitwell slipped a low finish past goalkeeper Max Weiss from twelve yards out, netting his first league goal for the club.
Burnley came close to retaking the lead when Bruun Larsen’s effort struck the post after a probing cross from Marcus Edwards. The first half concluded with the score at 1‑1, and both sides headed into the break with plenty to prove. The second half belonged to West Brom.
Inspired by Price’s energy, the team dominated possession and created several clear chances. In the 46th minute, Price opened the scoring for the home side, curling a precise shot beyond a slightly out‑of‑position Weiss into the far corner, giving Albion a 2‑1 lead for the first time in the match. Burnley attempted to respond by making a triple substitution in the 57th minute, introducing Ugo Raghouber, Zeki Amdouni and Dastan Satpayev.
The changes, however, failed to alter the flow of the game. Instead, Albion’s Bashir Humphreys was brought down in the box by a Burnley defender, earning a penalty. Price stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick low to the right of Weiss, sending the keeper the wrong way and extending the lead to 3‑1. After the final whistle, West Brom manager James Morrison reflected on the performance, saying to Sky Sports, “When you start the pre‑season and see the fixtures, you realize the challenge ahead.
It was an opportunity to impose ourselves, and we did that. My job is to keep us grounded. It’s only been two games, but we know the season will be long and hard with ups and downs. We must keep working hard on the training pitch and see where it takes us.” Burnley’s boss Nicky Hayen was equally candid, admitting, “The result was fully deserved.
They had far more energy, winning duels and second balls. We were too slow and far below the level we showed last week.
If we play at our best, we’re a top side, but today we looked average. We need to return to the standards we set previously because today we weren’t good enough.” The match also highlighted the broader narrative of the early Championship season. West Brom, under Morrison’s guidance, have shown a blend of attacking flair and defensive resilience, while Burnley, despite a promising start, now face questions about squad depth and the impact of losing a key striker like Flemming.
The outcome may influence transfer strategies for both clubs as the window approaches its deadline. For fans eager to stay updated, Sky Sports offers mobile streaming of EFL games and free Championship highlights, while their WhatsApp channel provides the latest news, videos, analysis and more. Additionally, readers can engage with the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, entry being free of charge. Overall, Isaac Price’s double‑goal heroics not only secured three points for West Brom but also underscored his growing importance to the team.
His ability to influence the game both as a scorer and creator suggests he could become a pivotal figure in Albion’s pursuit of promotion, while Burnley must regroup quickly if they hope to fulfill the lofty ambitions set for this campaign.