NOBLE: IT JUST EXPLODED

MARK NOBLE revealed his despair after a day of shame at the London Stadium and said tensions between West Ham’s owners and some supporters had been building for two years since the club left Upton Park.

Hammers skipper Noble wrestled a pitch invader to the ground after Burnley’s opening goal triggered protests directed at the board.

The midfielder, who has been at the club since he was 10, conceded that West Ham’s plight hurt him deeply. “It is hard for me because I’m a West Ham fan and the results affect me more than anyone,” said Noble. “For the past two seasons really it has been bubbling over with the fans not being happy, and today was boiling point and it just exploded. “The only way that it has ever really gone quiet is if we won games. But when we lose games it is pretty much the end of the world. I am not really angry, just a bit upset this club is in the way that it is. The last couple of seasons have been a lot tougher.”

Of the supporter he wrestled, he said: “His emotions were high, same as mine on the pitch. I wouldn’t say I felt threatened, but if someone approaches me I am going to look after myself.”

Defender James Collins, left, said: “I don’t ever expect to be 1-0 down at home and look across and see my good friend and captain of this club confronted.

“I’ve got sympathy with the supporters. I’m just as unhappy as the fans, it has not been anywhere near good enough.”