A fan is removed from the pitch by police

TWO fans were stabbed last night as hundreds of thugs battled in a terrifying return to 70s-style soccer hooliganism.

West Ham and Millwall fans clashed before and after Tuesday’s Carling Cup second round match in which the Hammers emerged victorious thanks to a 3-1 extra-time success.

Bricks, bottles, chairs and darts were thrown in the planned clash between West Ham and Millwall supporters.

Up to 1,000 cops struggled to keep the rival “firms” apart outside West Ham’s Upton Park ground in East London.

Resident Mansoor Haider, 24, said: “It was carnage. I saw a man being pelted with bricks. Blood was pouring from his head but they didn’t stop. They were going at each other like wild animals. The Millwall fans surrounded the police on horses and tried to push the animals over.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in all my life. It was like a war zone.”

A dedicated police team will examine CCTV footage from inside and outside the ground in a bid to track down people involved. Thirteen people have already been arrested.

London mayor Boris Johnson posted a message on Twitter to condemn the violence.

He said: “Shocked by last night’s images from Upton Park – Absolutely appalling.”

The shocking scenes echoed sickening football hooliganism of the 70s and 80s. The game ended with a 3-1 victory for West Ham after extra time.

Millwall fans were kept in the stadium for around an hour after the final whistle.

The stab victims had neck and chest injuries. One, a 44-year-old man, was in a stable condition last night. The other was a man of 40.

FA will review the ugly scenes and the fans involved will face life bans!