League Cup: West Ham and Chelsea fans involved in bloodied clash

Tensions boiled over between West Ham and Chelsea as supporters clash at London Stadium in EFL Cup tie on Wednesday.

Chairs were ripped out and thrown and bottles and coins were used as missiles as both sets of fans squared up to each other inside the ground - Metropolitan Police later confirmed seven were arrested and held overnight.

Riot police were called into the stadium after the violence broke out shortly before the final whistle.

Plastic bottles, seats and coins were thrown during the Hammers' 2-1 victory at London Stadium as hundreds of supporters clashed and riot police entered the concourse.

Cops and stewards were fortunately on hand to intervene, after initial concerns there would be a shortage of officers for the clash.

Riot and mounted police patrolled the Stratford site while a police helicopter whirred overhead.

An increased number of security staff were also employed for the game.

Security was boosted for the London derby and an alcohol ban imposed as part of a "robust policing plan" following crowd trouble at the stadium this season.

Bilic added: "For those kind of things to happen, especially in England, is unacceptable."

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said: "I don't really like to see these situations."

Commander BJ Harrington, who was leading the police operation, said: 'Although the vast majority of people left the stadium peacefully and were well behaved, there were a minority of people who attended the match that were clearly intent on being involved in confrontation and violence.

'Despite extensive work with both clubs and the London Stadium partners as well as a large and robust policing operation, there were unacceptable incidents inside and outside the stadium, before, during and after the game.

'We welcome the condemnation from partners and have already started a post match investigation.

'We have already made seven arrests and will work tirelessly to identify people involved and bring them to justice.'

Ian, a Chelsea supporter who was caught up in the violence, told BBC 5Live: 'It was like being back in the 1970s.

'The amount of coins that were thrown, seats that were thrown, it was an absolute nightmare.

'I think there were people there who were on the lookout for trouble.

'If trouble was going to be there, they wanted to be at the front of it.'

Fights among supporters and segregation issues had marred West Ham's earlier matches this season but improved stewarding by stadium operators London Stadium 185 had helped in recent weeks.