The match was won by the home side 3–1 after extra time,[1] but the game was marred by pitch invasions and disorder in the streets outside the ground, where a Millwall supporter[2] was stabbed.

[8] Millwall and West Ham United have a long-standing rivalry that dates back to the clubs' first meeting, a friendly on 23 September 1897.

They took the lead through long-serving striker Neil Harris in the 26th minute of the match, firing past goalkeeper Robert Green after the West Ham defenders had failed to clear a long throw-in from Scott Barron.

Stanislas' goal sparked a pitch invasion, and although players pleaded with the home fans to return to the stands, the resumption of the match was still delayed by several minutes.

Stanislas converted the penalty, and home fans invaded the pitch again, prompting the Millwall players to retreat to the dressing room.

The government's sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe commented, "We have made great progress in tackling hooliganism in this country and will not return to the dark days of the 80s."

[4] Home secretary Alan Johnson added, "Anyone who thinks thuggery has a place in modern-day football is living in the dark ages, and will bring only shame upon the teams they support."

The shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt commented that "Wider questions need to be answered as to how the situation was allowed to get out of hand in the first place.

[17] In January 2010 West Ham were fined £115,000 after being found guilty of violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour and of failing to prevent their fans entering the field of play.

[18] In response to the violence and public order offences the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Balconi to investigate the disorder surrounding the game.