Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu, who was named Player of The Match, has addressed the controversial penalty decision that denied Blackburn Rovers a win against Wolves in their Championship opener at Molineux on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Blackburn looked set to leave Molineux with all three points after fighting back to lead 2-1, but referee Farai Hallam pointed to the spot in stoppage time after the ball struck Alebiosu’s arm from a cross by Jackson Tchatchoua, with replays suggesting the handball occurred outside the box.

There is no VAR in the EFL. Raul Jimenez, on his return to Wolves, converted the resulting penalty to earn the hosts a 2-2 draw.

Marshall Munetsi had put Wolves ahead in the 18th minute, before Sean McLoughlin levelled for Blackburn from a Ryoya Morishita cross. Andri Gudjohnsen then put the visitors in front three minutes after half-time, only for Jimenez’s late spot kick to rescue a point for the home side.

The 24-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes and has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, admitted his frustration with the decision after the match.

“We’re frustrated. The boys have done everything to get the three points. The ball has been played, and I thought I was outside the box. Obviously the decision has gone against us,” Alebiosu said.

Blackburn coach Tony Mowbray, who was denied a dream start on his return to the club, was similarly unconvinced by the award.

“Having watched the still pictures, it looks outside the box to me. If it hits him on the hand and it is away from his body, I suppose in modern-day football (it is a penalty). But it still looks outside the box to me,” Mowbray said.

Despite the disappointment, Alebiosu said he was proud of his teammates’ effort and remained confident that Blackburn could challenge higher up the table if they maintained the level of performance they showed against Wolves.

“The boys dug deep, and we thought we had it. Just the final details with the penalty is frustrating. If we play like that every week, we will go far in the table,” he said.

Blackburn Rovers will be looking for their first win of the new season when they host Middlesbrough at Ewood Park next weekend.