Source: Team_Talk
Allardyce heaps praise on players
Goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen and Benni McCarthy (penalty) secured the victory and almost certainly the club's Premier League status.
Allardyce said: "I am going to enjoy tonight and hope the players do so as well. You have got to give them credit."
Pedersen opened the scoring in the 30th minute with his first goal of the season.
England goalkeeper David James failed to deal with a challenge from Chris Samba following a cross from Stephen Warnock and the ball broke to Pedersen, who forced it home.
McCarthy then secured the points from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Hermann Hreidarsson had handled the ball in the area.
It was no more than Blackburn deserved and they have been on the up since Allardyce walked through the door in December.
They have lost only one of 10 home league games since then and that has been key to their progress.
Allardyce reflected on his six-month spell with a sense of satisfaction.
He said: "We have chalked up 27 points from 19 games - that's half a season - since I have been here.
"That shows you how well we have done as we had taken only 13 points from the previous 17.
"The players have been magnificent. They are committed and want to play in the best league in the world.
"What I did when I came in was use my man-management skills, if you like. You assess the situation and try and understand what the players are feeling.
"It is important to try and nullify any fears they may have and get them playing to the best of their ability.
"I have not been as worried as I thought as the players have done their best. There was never any great anxiety on my part that we would go down.
"Their efforts have been rewarded as we are now on the magic 40-point mark after our third home win on the trot."
Allardyce's former club Newcastle are still in trouble - they face fellow strugglers Middlesbrough on Monday.
However Allardyce insists his focus is on Blackburn.
He said: "My life goes on. I do not worry too much about what happened in the past. I look to the future.
"I want to be a Premier League manager - and that's what I am - but when I came here it was a difficult job."
Portsmouth manager Paul Hart refused to condemn James for his error of judgment.
Hart said: "These things happen. You look at the performances he has put in in the last two and a half months - they have been unbelievable."
Portsmouth have lost that winning habit and substitute John Utaka missed a penalty in the second half.
Hart wants more points on the board to ease any lingering fears of relegation.
He added: "It was certainly our worst performance since February. We have been creating a lot of chances recently but not finishing them off.
"It was a timely reminder in this division you cannot take your foot off the pedal. We want to be mathematically safe as soon as possible."
