“The atmosphere was horrible” – Mark Noble has had his say on the West Ham pitch invasion

“If someone approaches me, I’m going to protect myself.”

West Ham’s game with Burnley descended into chaos on Saturday afternoon at the London Stadium. The home side lost the game 3-0 and were subjected to several pitch invasions after conceding their first goal of the afternoon.

One fan grabbed a corner-flag and ran to the centre of the pitch, and there were more attempts to disrupt the game when Chris Wood got his second of the day to wrap up the points for Burnley. West Ham supporters directed their anger at the club’s owners sitting in the directors’ box. David Sullivan, West Ham’s co-owner, was escorted from his seat before the end of the match.

West Ham fans trying to confront the owners. pic.twitter.com/gOnUIvU3Lj

— Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) March 10, 2018

Remarkable scenes. West Ham fans all have their backs turned on the game. Shouting at (presumably) club directors pic.twitter.com/s9udltwklN

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) March 10, 2018

Club captain Mark Noble was also involved in an altercation with a pitch invader.

Noble threw the fan to the ground, before being restrained by teammate Joe Hart.

“I wouldn’t say I felt in danger, but you never know in this world, Noble told the BBC following the game, before admitting that the atmosphere at the London Stadium has been strained since moving to the ground at the start of the 2016/17 season.

“I’m a West Ham fan and I’ve always protected the club. If someone approaches me, I’ll protect myself. It’s been like this for the past two seasons, since we moved to this stadium. Every time we lose we and the board get a lot of stick. It seemed today that the fans had had enough. They wanted to show their emotion. When fans come to the game with the hump, they know how to show their emotions.

“The atmosphere was horrible. We know a lot of it isn’t aimed at the players, but we have to be man enough to play in that atmosphere. I’m really hoping the fans have got it off their chest. They are a true, honest and passionate bunch of people. I’m hoping that they have had their outburst, because all that matters is staying in the Premier League. if they can help us get over the line, maybe we can sort it out in the summer.”

West Ham are now in 16th place in the Premier League, three points above the relegation zone.