SAM Allardyce has hailed a ‘man of the match’ performance from Martin Olsson after admitting his Blackburn Rovers’ side did get the rub of the green at Turf Moor.

The Rovers boss was adamant his side deserved their 1-0 win over Burnley but conceded David Dunn’s first half penalty winner was perhaps fortuitous – with only slight contact made on Olsson by Tyrone Mears.

Allardyce though insists Olsson’'s contribution throughout was ‘exceptional’ as he continues to build his squad with a mixture of youth and experience.

He said: “Martin Olsson for me particularly stood out and made numerous chances for himself with great runs and it is a great shame he had his goal disallowed for offside, which we are not sure it was.

“Then we have got the penalty and Dunny has tucked that away and then Martin has a volley which struck the bar and a right foot volley that has struck the keeper.

“He has had a hell of a contribution and I thought he should have won man of the match.

“But the mixture of youth and experience is getting better and better. Our second away win and we have put that to rest now and we can look forward to Portsmouth.”

Burnley fans were incensed at the manner of their latest Premier League defeat – with the first half penalty award just one of several controversial decisions.

Wade Elliott believed he should have been awarded a penalty after a foul by Chris Samba, while Jason Brown seemed to handle outside the box after the break – but Allardyce was quick to point out Rovers didn’t get it all their own way.

“I think we deserved it. On the balance of play and chances created we have got what we deserved today,” said Allardyce.

“There was a spell at the start of the second half where the wind was in their favour and we were under some pressure but we withstood that very well and we started to play our way back into the game.

“The penalty was slightly harsh when you look at it from the angles and the replays but when you look at it from Mike Dean’s position it definitely looks like a penalty because I was jumping up and down like a lunatic.

“It might only have been slight contact but it has gone for us. The goal just before was onside though so it has perhaps gone in our favour and in a big game like this you need a little bit of luck and we got that perhaps.

“Also why wasn’t the goalkeeper sent off or booked when he gave the penalty? Mike Dean has said he wasn’t sure whether it was the defender or the goalkeeper who tripped him so he couldn’t give anything”

Rovers fans clearly enjoyed the afternoon as their side made it a derby double over Burnley this campaign – but Allardyce admitted it meant a lot to him as well, having missed the previous away win at Bolton through ill health.

“We should have won more comfortably and we are extremely pleased we have won for ourselves and for our fans,” said Allardyce.

“It is a difficult day to play a game of football. The wind was blowing from one end to another and the pitch was drying out and bobbly so it didn't make for the best football.

“But the way the lads applied themselves it nullified Burnley's strengths today and we took full advantage by getting a very important away win.

“This is the first one I have seen as well. I missed the one at Bolton so at least I have seen one.”