‘It was like a horror movie’

Granted, the scenes in East London last night were abhorrent and completely unwelcome in the game, but fans of both clubs who were present at Upton Park tell The Spoiler that they are fairly surprised by the over-the-top reaction and blanket coverage from the media*. Leading the hyperbolic pack are The Daily Mail, who temporarily cast aside stories about school fees, immigrants and fluffy kittens to print this gem:

West Ham could be thrown from the tournament after this, the ground could be closed.

No, Martin Samuel, the ground will not be closed and West Ham will not be thrown out of the Carling Cup. As a measure of our certainty, if either of those things happen, The Spoiler will actually go through the humiliating process of paying for a copy of your newspaper.

*We are aware that we have sort-of contributed to this melee, but hypercriticism is our bag, baby!