Isaac Price's second-half double secured a 3-1 victory for West Brom over Burnley in the Championship, leaving the Clarets still waiting for their first win back in the second tier.

After Zian Flemming scored twice to salvage a 2-2 draw against fellow relegated side West Ham on matchday one, Nicky Hayen's Clarets were without the striker due to a calf issue on Sunday, and he was sorely missed as they fell to a deserved defeat at the Hawthorns.

Things had started well for Burnley, though, as West Brom defender Callum Styles turned Jacob Bruun Larsen's teasing cross into his own net in the eighth minute. 

There was a hint of controversy around that goal as West Brom – who saw striker Aune Heggebo suspended for deception of a match official after scoring with his hand against Norwich City last week – appealed for a foul in the build-up by Hannibal Mejbri.

The hosts channelled that sense of injustice well, equalising 10 minutes later through Harry Whitwell's first-time finish into the bottom-right corner, though Burnley were unfortunate not to reestablish their lead when Bruun Larsen hit the post shortly before half-time.

Aside from that effort, however, West Brom had looked the more threatening side – and they went ahead one minute into the second half through Price's wonderful curler from near the left corner of the area. 

 pic.twitter.com/uuIsk5MyDf

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 23, 2026

Price's second goal came from the penalty spot shortly after the hour mark, after Bashir Humphreys capped a poor performance by tripping Whitwell on the right side of the box, with Burnley unable to muster any form of response as they slumped to 18th.

West Brom soar into second as Burnley's struggles continue 

All three teams that suffered relegation from the Premier League last season were expected to compete at the top end of the Championship in 2026-27, but they have not found things straightforward thus far.

Indeed, that trio have now played in five games between them this campaign, with Wolves' 3-1 victory over Preston North End on Saturday being the only win by any of them (West Ham and Burnley faced off on MD1).

West Brom, on the other hand, are flying high in second place with six points from two games, the second successive season in which they have started with maximum points. 

Prior to last term, they had only achieved that feat once since 1998-99 (in 2017-18 in the Premier League, though they went on to be relegated that season).

James Morrison's side deserved their victory, too, after racking up 11 shots and 1.64 expected goals, while holding Burnley to 10 shots and 1.12 xG.