Football fans praised after Brighton v Crystal Palace match

The Seagulls lost 2-0 to rivals Crystal Palace in their Championship play-off semi-final in Brighton

Football fans at the Championship play-off semi-final in Brighton have been praised by police for heeding pleas by their clubs to stay out of trouble.

Brighton and Hove Albion lost 2-0 against arch-rivals Crystal Palace at the Amex stadium on Monday night.

Sussex Police said they made "a handful of arrests" before and after the game, showing both sides could enjoy it without it degenerating into violence.

Ch Insp Paul Betts said there were no clashes between the rival groups.

'Steward assaulted'

"There were a few sporadic incidents following the match, but these appear to have mostly been amongst groups of disappointed fans.

"Along with British Transport Police colleagues, we also dealt with a number of incidents on board trains leaving Falmer in both directions," he said.

Six arrests were made - five at the Amex stadium and one in Surrey Street, Brighton.

Police said these included a man arrested on suspicion of assaulting an Amex stadium steward, and two men arrested on suspicion of homophobic abuse and chanting.