A smiling Isaac Price celebrates West Bromwich Albion's second goal with his team-mates against Burnley at The HawthornsShutterstock

Isaac Price had not scored since 21 April

Ged Scott
BBC Sport England

Isaac Price scored twice and Harry Whitwell bagged the other as James Morrison's confident West Bromwich Albion beat Burnley to maintain their winning start to the 2026-27 campaign.

After an opening-day Carabao Cup win at Rotherham, Morrison's men have now made it two league wins out of two.

It leaves them at the top of the table, with Millwall and Charlton the only other teams to have won their first two Championship games, while new Burnley boss Nicky Hayen is still looking for a first league win.

Albion needed some major good fortune to win on the opening weekend of the new Championship season, at Norwich - and the ball again ran their way at times against Burnley.

But after taking the lead on eight minutes through Callum Styles' spectacular own goal, Burnley, missing main striker Zian Flemming, were pretty much outplayed at a vibrant Hawthorns.

Bruun Larsen's left-flank delivery on its way to being met by Albion defender Calum Styles, whose own goal broke rhe deadlock against Burnley at The HawthornsShutterstock

The quality of Bruun Larsen's left-flank delivery was the key to the opener at The Hawthorns - Callum Styles' early own goal

Albion had not come from behind to win since the 3-2 home victory over Swansea City last November - but they had to this time after being stung by a rapid Burnley break.

Having won possession upfield when summer signing Horn Myhre went down meekly under a challenge from Hannibal Mejbri, Burnley transferred the ball upfield.

Jacob Bruun Larsen drifted left to drill over a wicked left-footed cross and the helpless Styles was airborne as he arrived to meet it in an attempt to clear the danger on the edge of the six-yard box, only to clumsily turn it into his own net off his back heel - a similar mishap to Bristol City's late goal just a few miles away at Birmingham the previous evening.

Albion deservedly levelled 10 minutes later when Burnley failed to recover after Price's cross from the left was deflected. Jimmy-Jay Morgan challenged, and Whitwell found the bottom corner with a low left-foot shot that nutmegged a visiting defender on its way in.

Three minutes after half-time, Price turned from creator to scorer when he took a superb first touch before curling in a right-footed beauty from 20 yards. And he was back on the scoresheet on 65 minutes when Albion won a soft penalty.

Whitwell made a run into the area and made contact with Burnley's Bashir Humphreys, and referee Anthony Backhouse pointed to the spot, enabling the confident Price to send Burnley keeper Max Weiss the wrong way.

Morrison: More reasons to smile for Albion fans

Life as West Bromwich Albion boss is so far going very smoothly for Morrison.

Since taking over in late February, when the Baggies board opted to finally go 'in-house' to stick with their long-serving former midfielder following two highly questionable appointments, Morrison has proved to be a lot more than just a caretaker.

He has presided over just two defeats in 15 games – and smiles are back on faces at The Hawthorns.

Fuelled by the fine form in particular of Price, already expectant fans are beginning to remove the shackles of doubt and are starting to wonder about how far they can go if they continue to get it right, six seasons on from their last one-season stay in the top flight.

In the short term, still without the banned Aune Heggebo, they now face two tough trips to the North East, the Carabao Cup trip to Newcastle on Wednesday, 26 August, and the lunchtime kick-off at Middlesbrough three days later.

Albion then do not play again until 2 September, at home to Charlton, the day after the summer transfer window closes. And Morrison has already said that his main concern is replacing Alex Mowatt following the midfielder's move to Derby County.

West Bromwich Albion boss James Morrison keeps things calm at The HawthornsShutterstock

West Bromwich Albion boss James Morrison is calmly proving a success at The Hawthorns

'It was an eye-opener for everyone' - reaction

West Bromwich Albion boss James Morrison told BBC Radio WM:

"We were a little bit sloppy at times but we regrouped and went again – that's the sign of a good team.

"Our penalty record in the last two years has been horrendous, so it was just good to see one go in.

"It felt like Burnley couldn't handle our intensity really, and I could smell that at half-time.

"My job is just to keep feet on the ground and to keep the lads working hard. It's just now a case of not getting carried away."

Burnley head coach Nicky Hayen:

"We didn't have the energy, desire and hunger of the home team. You also have to give credit to West Brom.

"You can always say we played a bad game but they had the structure, a lot of good energy, hunger and desire.

"We had problems and no solutions. I didn't expect this – it was an eye-opener for everyone, myself included.

"We didn't play as a team – more like individuals. We have to go back to basics like last week (the 2-2 comeback draw against West Ham). We played at slow motion."

Player of the match

O. Diakité
8.21
17 O. Diakité
8.21
21 I. Price
8.13
29 H. Whitwell
7.91
11 J. Morgan
7.45
8 J. Molumby
7.43
1 M. O’Leary
7.41
20 R. Nzingoula
7.29
9 B. Stewart
7.24
6 G. Campbell
7.14
7 F. Myhre
7.13
2 C. Mepham
7.07
4 C. Styles
7.05
3 N. Phillips
7.03
25 N. Galves
6.94
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