Isaac Price proved the decisive factor as West Bromwich Albion rallied from a deficit to secure a 3-1 triumph over promotion hopeful Burnley in the Sky Bet Championship. The Northern Ireland forward netted two second‑half goals after assisting Harry Whitwell’s equaliser, effectively erasing the own‑goal that had given Burnley an early lead.
Burnley entered the match without their leading striker Zian Flemming, who was sidelined with a calf problem and linked with a potential move to Lille. The Dutch forward’s absence was felt as the Clarets could not live up to the high expectations placed on them, delivering a lacklustre performance after the interval. Following the defeat, manager Nicky Hayen was unable to confirm Flemming’s future before the transfer window closes on September 1.
He told Sky Sports, "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 marked Albion’s third consecutive victory across all competitions and their second league win of the campaign, leaving them second in the early standings, just behind Millwall on goal difference. The result also handed Burnley their first loss of the season, leaving new boss Nicky Hayen still searching for his inaugural Championship win. The match began at a frenetic pace, with two goals coming in the first 18 minutes.
In the eighth minute, Callum Styles inadvertently turned his own net after a cross from Jacob Bruun Larsen, a moment that sparked protest from West Brom, who claimed Hannibal Mejbri had fouled Felix Horn Myhre far up the pitch during the build‑up. Despite the own‑goal, Albion quickly responded when 20‑year‑old Harry Whitwell slotted a low finish from 12 yards past Max Weiss in the 18th minute, registering his first league goal for the club and leveling the score. Burnley threatened to retake the lead when Bruun Larsen’s effort struck the post after a precise cross from Marcus Edwards, but the ball rebounded harmlessly.
The first half ended 1‑1, with both sides showing flashes of quality but also signs of nervousness. The second half belonged entirely to West Brom.
Inspired by Price’s energy, the team emerged with renewed confidence. Just after the restart, Price opened the scoring for the first time in the match, curling a shot beyond a stranded Weiss into the far corner in the 46th minute, giving Albion a 2‑1 lead.
Burnley attempted to respond, making three substitutions at the 57th minute, introducing Ugo Raghouber, Zeki Amdouni and Dastan Satpayev in hopes of revitalising their attack. However, the changes did little to stem Albion’s momentum. A penalty was awarded after Bashir Humphreys was fouled by Whitwell inside the box.
Price stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot‑kick to the right of Weiss, who dived the wrong way, extending the lead to 3‑1. The penalty not only secured the win but also highlighted Price’s composure under pressure. Post‑match, West Brom 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." Burnley’s boss Nicky Hayen admitted his side were out‑worked, stating, "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." The result also underscores the broader narrative of the early Championship season, where teams are still finding their rhythm and establishing a hierarchy. West Brom’s ability to overturn a deficit demonstrates resilience and depth, qualities that will be essential as the campaign progresses.
Meanwhile, Burnley must address the tactical sluggishness that plagued them in the second half and consider how to integrate or replace key players like Flemming, whose future remains uncertain. For fans looking to stay updated, Sky Sports offers live streaming of EFL matches on mobile devices, along with free highlights of Championship fixtures.
The platform also provides a range of additional content, including analysis, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes features, accessible via their website and social media channels such as WhatsApp. Overall, the match was a vivid illustration of how quickly fortunes can change in football, with a single player’s brilliance—embodied by Isaac Price—capable of turning a tight contest into a decisive victory.
West Brom’s three‑point haul propels them further up the table, while Burnley must regroup quickly if they hope to maintain their promotion ambitions in the weeks ahead.