The home side had a half-chance inside three minutes when Chris Brunt delivered a dangerous cross from the left, but Jason Shackell just did enough to clear ahead of the waiting striker Saido Berahino.

West Bromwich Albion's English defender Craig Dawson scores a goal during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Burnley at the Hawthorns in West Bromwich on September 28, 2014 © Getty Images

Burnley had a sight of goal through Michael Kightly after 12 minutes, but the winger could only fire high and wide of the crossbar in an opening that produced very few clear chances.

A powerful effort from Brunt, which took a big deflection off Burnley centre-back Michael Duff, came close to bringing West Brom the first goal of the match moments later, but it just struck the side netting. Berahino then fired a low effort wide of the post for the home side during a strong spell for the Baggies.

WBA player Andre Wisdom is challenged by Michael Kightly of Burnley during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Burnley at The Hawthorns on September 28, 2014 © Getty Images

West Brom had their first goal of the afternoon on the 30-minute mark when centre-back Craig Dawson rose from a corner before heading into the back of the net.

The home side continued to dominate proceedings in the latter stages of the half and came close through long-range attempts from Brunt and Graham Dorrans, but it was a close-range header from Berahino that moved the Baggies two goals ahead on the stroke of the interval.