Blackburn showed little evidence of player unrest yesterday as they overcame West Brom 3-1 in a compelling Barclays Premier League encounter at The Hawthorns that saw both sides reduced to 10 men.

Kean, placed in charge after the controversial sacking of Sam Allardyce earlier this month, also had his name chanted by the visiting supporters and then revealed he has cleared the air with unsettled defender Christopher Samba.

Samba was stripped of the captaincy by Kean after reportedly stating a desire to leave but the new boss believes there has been a misunderstanding.

"I never felt there was a rebellion or that anyone didn't want to play," said Kean.

"I think for Chris, what was said was if another club came in for him then he would look at it.

"He might have been misquoted. He assured me he never said he wanted to leave.

"He didn't put in a written or verbal transfer request and I am very encouraged."

Samba missed Kean's first win due to an ankle injury but his team-mates performed impressively in his absence.

Nikola Kalinic twice put Rovers ahead either side of a Jerome Thomas equaliser but was then sent off shortly after Mame Biram Diouf added a third.

West Brom rallied and hit the bar but Blackburn held on after Gabriel Tamas was also dismissed for bringing down scorer Diouf.

"It is a buoyant dressing room," said Kean. "What is even more pleasing is that we had Paul Robinson, from the very first moment of the warm-up, feeling his calf.

"He wanted to give it a go and Michel Salgado was up all night being sick, but he wanted to play.

"To get a victory with lads that were a bit under the weather, and to play the way we did against a very good West Brom team, was fantastic, especially for the travelling fans.

"We have got great fans. At the last home game there was a bit of frustration because we didn't play well against Stoke.

"But it's not about them singing my name. I was delighted for them because they have travelled a lot with the team.

"We showed our togetherness. That hopefully can get the fans singing and we'll take them up to Sunderland."

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo felt his side contributed to their own downfall.

The Italian said: "After five minutes we were chasing the game already and it is tough in the Barclays Premier League.

"Generally we haven't conceded too many goals to set-pieces but we conceded two.

"We need to be better and pay attention defensively because you get punished very quickly.

"In the first half we got ourselves back into the game and created chances but it is difficult to win games if we concede all the time."