Kezman nearly blinded by thugs

Chelsea star Mateja Kezman was almost blinded when a coin was thrown at him as another London football match was plunged into violence.

A steward at Stamford Bridge was crushed and taken to hospital as riot police clashed with fans who had pelted the pitch with coins and bottles.

The violent scenes at the Chelsea versus West Ham third round Carling Cup tie came only 24 hours after Liverpool fans threw coins and seats at police during their 3-0 win at Millwall.

The steward, thought to be in his early twenties, was injured as he tried to keep rival supporters apart at the end of the derby, which Chelsea won 1-0 thanks to Kezman's first competitive goal for the club.

The game degenerated in the last 15 minutes when Serbian player Kezman, who had just been awarded a penalty, was struck above the eye by a coin thrown from among the 6,000 West Ham fans behind the goal.

The former PSV Eindhoven striker - who was pictured with blood pouring from the wound above his eye - received treatment for a cut.

Former Hammers favourite Frank Lampard was then also pelted with coins before missing the spot kick.

Kezman made light of the incident afterwards, saying: "It was nothing, just a small accident."

And Chelsea's assistant manager Steve Clarke said: "He is OK and didn't need stitches."

However, the FA were today waiting for referee Andy D'Urso's report and look certain to launch a full investigation.

At least two plastic water bottles were also thrown onto the pitch during the match when West Ham fans targeted their former hero Joe Cole.

Violence flared again after the final whistle when West Ham's fans in the Matthew Harding stand's lower tier fought with police as Chelsea fans in the top tier appeared to throw rubbish from above. It took 15 minutes for order to be restored.

Rival fans then clashed outside Fulham Broadway Tube station as they headed home. Police made 11 arrests for public order offences, carrying offensive weapons and possessing drugs.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew said: "What happened is a shame. There had been some good English banter between the two sides. There is a big rivalry behind these two clubs and both sets of fans were in good voice." A Met Police spokesman said: "The majority of fans behaved well."

The FA are already investigating the crowd trouble in the Millwall versus Liverpool Carling Cup tie at The New Den on Tuesday night. Millwall fans had allegedly taunted the away supporters by chanting " Hillsborough" and "You should have all died at Hillsborough".

They were also said to have chanted "There's only one Boris Johnson", a reference to the Conservative MP who was last week forced to apologise for publishing comments about Liverpudlians "hooked on grief" and their role in the Hillsborough disaster, which claimed 96 lives.

The Millwall fans were also said to have taunted Liverpool supporters about the death of DJ John Peel, originally from Liverpool.