Police hunt culprits following violence in England

British police were hunting those responsible for "large-scale" violence at a match between London rivals West Ham and Millwall, which revived memories of the hooliganism of past decades.

A 44-year-old man was in a stable condition after being stabbed in the chest and two other men were treated for non life-threatening injuries after fighting flared before Tuesday's League Cup match at West Ham's Upton Park ground.

Inside the stadium, fans invaded the pitch and interrupted the match while police and stewards attempted to remove them.

More than 200 riot police and 20 police on horseback battled to contain the violence inside and outside the stadium.

John Whittingham, who lives nearby, said supporters were bombarding each other and police with anything they could find.

"People were throwing bricks but I haven't got a clue where they were finding them. Some people were trying to rip bollards off the pavement," he said.

Television pictures showed fans bleeding from head wounds.

London's Metropolitan Police, which made at least 10 arrests, said the violence was "large-scale" and appeared to have been pre-meditated.

"It looks like there has been some planned trouble from fans," a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.

"We will be reviewing all the events that happened looking at CCTV both inside and outside the ground to identify offences and offenders."

The FA condemned the incidents as a throwback to the bad old days of English football in the 1970s and 1980s.

"We will be working with all parties, including the police and clubs, to establish the facts surrounding tonight's events," a spokeswoman said.