West Bromwich Albion picked up their first home win of the season on Sunday with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Burnley in the Premier League.
Craig Dawson opened the scoring for the hosts on 30 minutes before Saido Berahino doubled their lead on the stroke of half time.
Berahino found the net again 15 minutes after the restart, while Graham Dorrans sealed the points in stoppage time.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at The Hawthorns.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League encounter from The Hawthorns as West Bromwich Albion entertain Burnley. Both teams are currently languishing near the foot of the table, so there's lots to play for. Team news should be through shortly.
WEST BROM: Foster; Wisdom, Lescott, Dawson, Pocognoli; Dorrans, Morrison, Gardner, Brunt, Sessegnon; Berahino
WEST BROM SUBS: Myhill, Gamboa, McAuley, Yacob, Mulumbu, Blanco, Samaras
West Brom boss Alan Irvine has made a full 11 changes to his starting lineup following Wednesday's win over Hull in the League Cup. Ben Foster returns in goal, while Joleon Lescott, Craig Gardner, Stephane Sessegnon and Saido Berahino are among the other names to be recalled.
BURNLEY: Heaton; Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee; Arfield, Wallace, Reid, Kightly; Boyd; Jutkiewicz
BURNLEY SUBS: Gilks, Chalobah, Sordell, Barnes, Ward, Keane, Long
After seeing his side draw 0-0 with Sunderland last weekend, Burnley manager Sean Dyche has made three changes this afternoon. Ross Wallace, Steven Reid and Michael Kightly all get the nod, while Marvin Sordell, Dean Marney and David Jones are the trio who make way.
West Brom come into this match just one point above the relegation zone after taking five points from their opening five games of the season. The Baggies earned their first win of the campaign last weekend as a late James Morrison goal gave them a shock 1-0 victory away to Tottenham Hotspur. They followed that up with a 3-2 win at Hull in the League Cup in midweek, so you'd be forgiven for thinking that the Baggies will be full of confidence this afternoon.
Burnley are yet to win in the Premier League this season, but they've given a decent account of themselves so far with three points from five matches. All of those points have come in their last three outings. While the sit two points adrift of safety in the drop zone, a victory this afternoon would see them climb out of trouble.
West Brom defender Joleon Lescott: "Winning breeds confidence and we are on the back of a great win at Spurs, which is always a tough place to go and get a result. It was a massive performance from everyone in the team.
"We managed to back it up with an important win in midweek to reach the last 16 of the Capital One Cup. We won't get carried away because we have gone to Spurs and won.
"It is only one win and three points, so it's on to the next one now against Burnley which is probably an even bigger game."
Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "We look at the positives of the season and there are some really good signs about how we are going about our business. The incentive is to build on what we are doing and turn performances into wins.
"We are hungry to get that first win because we think that will lead on from there. It often does, so we continue the work and add on to that what we see fit to open things up."
HEAD TO HEAD: West Brom have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams, winning 52 matches compared to 45 for Burnley. Meanwhile, a total of 27 draws have been played out since they first met back in 1888.
Despite West Brom's dominance in this fixture down the years, Burnley have enjoyed the better form in recent times with three wins to the Baggies' two. Their last showdown was back in February 2009 when they Clarets earned a 3-1 win in an FA Cup fourth-round replay. The last time that they met in the league saw West Brom earn a 2-1 victory in the Championship.
Got a spare couple of minutes before kickoff? Take a look at our video preview below to see how the Sports Mole team think today's match will go:
RECENT FORM:
WEST BROM: DWLLWW
BURNLEY: LLLDDD
While Burnley are unbeaten in their last three matches, they will be desperate to get their first win on the board this afternoon. If they don't then there are sure to be one or two questions asked as to whether they are cut out for the top flight. A defeat or a draw won't be the end of the world today, but they need to start picking up more points ahead of a busy winter period.
Victor for West Brom this afternoon would be unlikely to put the Baggies in the top half of the table due to their dodgy goal difference (-4), but they would shoot up the standings should they claim the three points in front of their own fans. There was plenty of discontent from fans at the start of the campaign, though that has changed now thanks to back-to-back wins in all competitions.
The midfielder returns to his former club today after enjoying four years as a Baggie. He left The Hawthorns at the end of last season having joined West Brom from Blackburn Rovers in 2010.
The players are in the tunnel, ready to step out onto the pitch at The Hawthorns. Not long to go now until this one gets underway.
KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match formalities have been done, and it will be West Brom to kick us off this afternoon. Here we go!
It's been a decent start from the hosts, who are seeing plenty of the ball during the opening stages. An early chance sees Brunt whip a devilish cross into the heart of the Burnley box, but the visitors manage to hack it away.
Burnley have strung together a couple of dangerous moves in the last few minutes, with Jutkiewicz looking threatening up top. The Clarets certainly know how to break with pace and that could bring them some joy this afternoon. West Brom are still enjoying the majority of possession.
Still now clear-cut chances during the first few minutes, but West Brom are showing plenty of confidence when they go forward. Burnley are sitting pretty deep, allowing the Baggies to attack. A good cross from Gardner causes a bit of trouble inside the away side's penalty area, though it comes to nothing.
PENALTY SHOUT! Burnley want a penalty as Boyd's cross comes off Wisdom, but referee Jon Moss waves away the appeals. Looking back at the incident, that was the right decision from the official. The ball appeared to hit the defender on the chest.
CHANCE! The West Brom fans think the ball is in, but instead it goes inches wide of the post! Brunt's drive from the left deflects off Duff and looks to be creeping in the bottom corner, only for it to go the wrong side of the post for a corner. The Baggies are knocking at the door here.
They're not offering a great deal up front at the moment, but Burnley are defending doggedly at the back. Sean Dyche is probably wanting his side to show a bit more adventure in attack, though he will also be pleased with how compact and organised they are looking in deeper positions.
CHANCE! Close for West Brom! Berahino, who has no one up with him, runs at the Burnley defence before hitting a low shot just past Heaton's far post. The youngster had the visitors worried there with his pace and close control.
Little to report from the last few minutes, though it's still West Brom who are posing more of a threat in the final third. Brunt tries to set Pocognoli free down the left side, but the defender just can't get to the ball as it goes out for a goal kick.
West Brom are seeing lots of the ball in advanced positions, only for the final product to be lacking. All to often they've worked it out wide before a poor cross ruins the move. However, the hosts threaten this time when Gardner's low effort is pushed away by Heaton.
GOAL! WEST BROM 1-0 BURNLEY (DAWSON)
It's been coming! West Brom lead thanks to Craig Dawson's header from a Brunt corner - it's his first goal for the club. The ball is whipped in from the right and the defender rises high above his marker to plant a header past Heaton. Could Burnley have done better there with their marking? Probably.
Sean Dyche should be worried with how his side is going about things at the moment. The Clarets look as if they're lacking in confidence. West Brom are overwhelming them in all areas of the pitch. The visitors have some decent attacking talent at their disposal, but they're not making any use of it.
The hosts are currently knocking the ball around with an abundance of confidence. They're making Burnley do all of the chasing as we enter the final 10 minutes of the half. Brunt, who was booed by his own fans earlier this season, is pulling most of the strings from midfield. Meanwhile, Berahino's pace and movement is giving the visitors lots to think about.
Something of a half-chance for the hosts as Brunt's corner from the right is met at the back post by Morrison, but his tame header is gathered by Heaton. A bit more power on that and the Baggies could have been 2-0 up.
CHANCE! That's a clearer opening for West Brom as Brunt chests the ball down on the edge of the box before smashing a half-volley over the crossbar. Heaton is then called into action moments later when Dorrans's long-range drive is tipped over by the goalkeeper.
GOAL! WEST BROM 2-0 BURNLEY (BERAHINO)
What a time for West Brom to double their lead! A corner from the left is flicked on at the near post and there's Saido Berahino to nod in from about two yards out. The hosts have looked good with their set pieces this afternoon, scoring twice from corners.
HALF TIME: WEST BROM 2-0 BURNLEY
There goes the half-time whistle, bringing an end to an excellent opening 45 minutes from a West Brom perspective. Craig Dawson put them 1-0 up when he headed in from a corner on 30 minutes, while Saido Berahino doubled their lead in stoppage time. It's a long way back for Burnley now.
West Brom certainly deserve their lead. They've looked to attack at every available opportunity, with Brunt and Berahino causing plenty of problems. Meanwhile, Burnley have looked overwhelmed. Sean Dyche needs to tell his side to show a bit more adventure, or else this match is only going to end one way.
UPDATE! Breaking away from the football for a moment, the last few minutes have seen Europe retain the Ryder Cup with a convincing victory over the USA at Gleneagles. You can read all about it here. Just make sure you come back.
Sean Dyche must be wondering where his side's next goal is going to come from. Burnley have scored just once so far this season and that was in their opening game of the campaign. They certainly need to find their shooting boots this afternoon because they've barely threatened so far.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out and Burnley have made two changes at the break with Nathaniel Chalobah and Ashley Barnes replacing Steven Reid and Ross Wallace. The visitors kick us off for the second half.
YELLOW CARD! Chalobah gets involved in the action instantly, picking up a booking for a reckless challenge on Gardner. It could be that kind of bite in midfield that Burnley need, albeit slightly more toned down.
The visitors have come out for the second half looking a bit more combative. Sean Dyche is sure to have given them a right old rollicking during the interval and it seems as if it's worked. A goal in the opening 10 or 15 minutes of this half and they would be right back in this match.
Wisdom and Kightly have a few words after the latter goes in for a challenge with his studs raised. Referee Jon Moss talks to both players before deciding against any action. That's good officiating from the man in black.
It's normal service resumed for West Brom as they dominate Burnley in very much the same way as the first half. Sessegnon's volley from close range is blocked well by Mee before Morrison lashes the follow-up high over the crossbar. The Baggies look eager to get that third goal and kill off this game.
GOAL! WEST BROM 3-0 BURNLEY (BERAHINO)
And they get their third goal! It's Berahino with a lovely finish, but credit must also go to Dorrans for his assist. The midfielder threads an inch-perfect ball through for Berahino, who gets behind the Burnley defence before slotting confidently past Heaton. Surely that's game over now.
Sean Dyche will be disappointed with the goals that his team has conceded today. Two of them have come from corners, while the other saw Burnley's defence split wide open. You get the feeling that it's going to be a long, hard season for the Clarets.
Just over an hour played and West Brom are looking very comfortable. They've done all of the hard work this afternoon. Now they can just knock the ball about and force Burnley to come onto them. It would not be a surprise if the hosts find the net again today.
A decent move down the right involving Brunt and Wisdom ends with the latter firing in a low cross towards Berahino, but Mee is there to clear up the danger. It's all too easy for West Brom right now. Burnley need a goal very soon if they are to put up a fight during the last 20 minutes or so.
SAVE! Burnley nearly get their goal, but Jutkiewicz is denied by a fine save from Foster. The striker gets his head on a cross from the right before the West Brom goalkeeper pushed the ball away when it looked destined for the top corner.
SUBSTITUTION: Burnley's final change of the afternoon sees Jutkiewicz replaced by Sordell. Just over 20 minutes left to play at The Hawthorns. It would take something special for the Clarets to get something out of this match.
Burnley have started to ask a few more questions of the West Brom defence in the last couple of minutes, but they're still lacking that little bit of quality that would get them back into this game. The substitutions have certainly given the Clarets a boost, though it's probably too big an ask for them to take anything away from The Hawthorns.
SUBSTITUTION: West Brom's first change of the match sees Samaras enter the action in place of Sessegnon.
YELLOW CARD! Dorrans goes into the book for stupidly standing about one yard away from the ball with Burnley waiting to take a free kick. Silly stuff.
CHANCE! Dorrans goes some way to redeeming himself by making a jinking run into the Burnley box and shooting inches wide. That would have been a great goal from the midfielder. What's worrying from a Burnley perspective is how tired some of the players are looking.
Sean Dyche has a look of exasperation on his face down on the touchline. He knows he has a lot of work to do this season. His players have put in some good performances this season, but today has been very disappointing. They just haven't competed.
SUBSTITUTION: Another swap for West Brom here as Gamboa replaces Pocognoli, who is quickly becoming a fan favourite at The Hawthorns thanks to his tireless running and full-blooded commitment.
Burnley show patience around the West Brom penalty area before Kightly sees his tame effort from about 20 yards held by Foster.
SUBSTITUTION: West Brom's final change sees Yacob come on for Gardner. Just under five minutes of normal time remaining. The hosts are on the verge of their first home win of the season.
YELLOW CARD! Burnley full-back Mee is the latest name to go in the book after he drags back Dorrans with West Brom looking to break.
GOAL! WEST BROM 4-0 BURNLEY (DORRANS)
West Brom seal the win with a fine goal from Dorrans! Gamboa makes a good run down the right flank before picking out his teammate on the edge of the box. Dorrans strikes the ball low into the corner at the first time of asking and that should be that.
There will be THREE MINUTES of added time...
FULL TIME: WEST BROM 4-0 BURNLEY
The full-time whistle goes and West Brom have their first home win of the season thanks to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Burnley. The Baggies dominated pretty much from the first whistle and they come away with three deserved points. Meanwhile, Burnley can't afford to perform like that too many more times this season.
That's all from our live text coverage of this afternoon's match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!
