BOTTLE NEARLY HIT OFFICIAL AT PALACE

POLICE are investigating after a bottle thrown by a Chelsea fan came close to hitting assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis at Selhurst Park on Saturday. The incident occurred in the second half of Chelsea’s shock 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace. An eyewitness in the away end said the missile landed close to Massey-Ellis, who was running that line. It is not known whether it was aimed at her. The Metropolitan Police are now studying CCTV in the hope of finding the culprit. A statement from the Met said: ‘During the second half, a plastic bottle was thrown towards the pitch from the visiting supporters’ section in the Arthur Wait Stand. Nobody was struck. CCTV has been viewed and enquiries continue.’ Chelsea had not commented at time of going to press.