Hull consider Boateng appeal

Hull manager Phil Brown is debating whether to appeal against the red card dished out to George Boateng at Ewood Park.

The former Middlesbrough midfielder was dismissed in the first half of the 1-0 defeat by Blackburn following an aerial challenge with Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Brown took issue with referee Lee Probert and even his opposite number Sam Allardyce felt the decision was harsh.

Brown said: "To say it is a nonsense is an understatement. The problem I have with it is he had two to three minutes to make the decision while George was knocked out.

"But the players told me he already had the red card out of his pocket within seconds of the incident.

"It is clearly a clash of heads and a brave challenge by both players. If I am going to jump I am going to bring my arms up.

"If you look at George Boateng's history, he's had 14 years in the Premier League and two red cards.

"It is a good career record for me for a combative midfielder whose involved in tussles and tackles."

The vital goal came in the 16th minute when Martin Olsson's effort from the by-line got a slight deflection from goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and went into the net.

Blackburn almost added a second when Gael Givet saw Myhill turn his header onto the bar.

Allardyce feels Olsson should be credited for the goal, rather than it going down as a Myhill own goal.

"It is very harsh not to give him it," said the Rovers boss.

"He has shown outstanding ability then hits a hard, low shot.

"Martin has emerged this year with some gentle encouragement. He really came to the fore against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

"He is now showing what he can do in the league and is a young, emerging talent I am glad to say."

Allardyce wants Blackburn to maintain their momentum when they return from a warm-weather break in Dubai after a third successive win on their own patch.

He said: "Teams are going to find it difficult here. We have a fantastic home record. Mind you we made it difficult for ourselves against Hull as so many chances went begging.

"You have that fear they could snatch a draw. But we got what we wanted, which was a valuable three points."