Dyche hails Clarets' resilience after derby double

Andre Gray's first half penalty was enough for a third-successive win against the old enemy, as Burnley beat Rovers at Turf Moor for the first time since 1978.

The Clarets returned to the top of the Championship in the process, as they extended their unbeaten run to 12 games, and Dyche said: "That's my sixth Derby and I've not seen a classic yet, football-wise, they've all been muck and nettles, tight affairs, it could be a referee's decision, which we had at their place with Dunny scoring 14 yards off-side.

"We thought it might be a tight one, that kind of game, cagey and awkward, conditions played a small part in that as well, but obviously I'm delighted to say we came out on top, and it's fantastic for the fans and the town because it's 37 years - I'm aware of that, for me it's another three points and a big win for us, but for the people I totally understand it's a different thing."

Burnley were not at their best, but Dyche admitted: "I thought first half we were good value for it, they had one chance where Tom (Heaton) makes a good save, with the feel of the game, we found good pockets of play and opened them up in the wide areas.

"Second half we never got to grips with it, some of that is down to them coming out and playing almost with a bit of freedom, 1-0 down, what's the worst that can happen? Probably the lowest expectation on them since I've been at the club, between the two clubs, in lieu of the league table, and they put the ball in the box from everywhere.

"I was amazed at some of the referee's decisions - how many soft free kicks which allowed them to put the ball in the box from everywhere, long throws, free kicks, corners, but it's fair to say our framework and organisation and will and demand of the players was on show as much as I've seen it."

Asked about Shane Duffy's challenge on George Boyd for the penalty, Dyche said: "It looks it (a clear penalty). I was too far away in the moment but I've seen it since and it's a pen."Rovers wanted one later in the first half after a nudge from Stephen Ward on Hope Akpan, but Dyche smiled: "I would be very surprised if that was given."

Burnley were leapfrogged by Middlesbrough on Friday night after their 2-1 win over Wolves, but Burnley responded well to return to the summit, and Dyche added: "It won't be overlooked by myself, but I understand the feeling around here. There's different ways of winning, and we're showing good signs of it.

"We were quiet last week and won, not at our best by any means second half today - first half we were decent.

"But we ran Forest all over the place...within that run there's a great mixture of how to win game and that's what the name of the game is.

"Everyone knows I believe in mixed styles of football, in affecting games in as many ways as you can in order to win, and it's always in order to win."

Rovers felt aggrieved to have lost another tight game, but Dyche feels Burnley were hard done to in his first three games against Blackburn: "The first three games, it's unfathomable how we didn't win, simple as that. So over the six, it's about right.

"The first one, Robbo was unbelievable here, and we needed a late goal to get back in it.

"Dunny was offside, we nicked one two years ago, nicked one this year, nicked it today - I'd be surprised if that comes out a win for them, I'll be honest, they had some chances, but they best they could have worked for was a draw I felt, but credit to Blackburn, they really brought it on today, and that style of play is hard to play against at times."