Patrick Vieira KICKS Everton fan to ground after supporter abuses him during pitch invasion following Palace defeat

CRYSTAL PALACE boss Patrick Vieira KICKED an Everton fan to the ground after he was abused by a supporter during a pitch invasion at Goodison Park last night.

Thousands of Everton supporters flooded in from the stands after Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a late winner against Crystal Palace to keep the Toffees in the Premier League.

But in yet more unsavoury scenes after fans invaded the field, cameras caught the Palace boss involved in a row.

The ugly scenes are the latest in a series of incidents - on Tuesday Sheffield United's Billy Sharp was headbutted by a crazed fan and elsewhere last night Swindon players were attacked by Port Vale fans during yet another disgraceful pitch invasion.

As he tried to leave the pitch, Vieira could be seen clashing with a fan.

The fan can be seen holding his middle finger right in Vieira's face as he films him with his other hand.

The actual video from the phone later circulated on social media and the man can be heard screaming at Vieira: "Suck on that you muppet! Get in! F*** off!"

At that point Vieira turns, grabs the man's arm and kicks him to the floor.

Another pitch invader then comes along and shoves Vieira, with the Arsenal legend appearing to square up to him.

However, before it can go any further other supporters separate them and he walks away.

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The FA and police are now investigating the incident.

A Merseyside Police statement said: "We are working with Everton FC to gather all available CCTV footage and are speaking to witnesses.

"No formal complaint has been received and enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

In a Sun poll a whopping 85 per cent of football fans backed Vieira.

After the incident, Vieira said: "I do not have anything to say about that”.

Everton boss Frank Lampard added: "I feel for Patrick and I didn't get him (to shake hands) at the end because of the reaction.

"He ran across the pitch 80 yards in front of our fans but there's no issue.

"Just pure elation from our fans at staying in the league."

Neither Everton nor Palace have yet put out any official statement on the disgusting scene.

But fans across the country have leapt to Vieira's defence.

Piers Morgan wrote: "The moron deserved it. Why should players/managers put up with this vile abuse?"

A second commented: "I love Patrick Vieira even more that he doesn’t stand like Nigel at the bus stop when provoked by fans on the pitch.

"Our club needs to stand 100 per cent behind him & fight all criticism & any charges."

While another added: "Just seen the Vieira incident. 100pc on his side. Why should football managers and players have to take that kind of harassment and abuse as they leave the pitch?"

A third wrote: "Don’t blame Vieira at all why do fans think they can do s*** like that?"

And a fourth concluded: "If Patrick Vieira gets any sort of fine or suspension for that then it's a disgrace."

On the same night, Swindon Town players were also involved in a fight with Port Vale fans after Vale reached the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

Swindon lost a penalty shootout, sparking a mass invasion of the pitch.

Centre-back Mandela Egbo later posted a picture of him with a small scratch on his nose, blasting "scummy fans" who laded "two free shots" on him.

He wrote: "How you scummy fans get two free shots and only manage a scratch? & I’m supposed to keep my cool - if I react I’m the bad guy right?"

The shock incidents come just 48 hours after Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp was attacked by a Nottingham Forest fan at the City Ground.

That attack left Sharp needing stitches and the attacker - Robert Biggs, 30, from Derbyshire - jailed.

Biggs, a Forest season ticket holder, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was jailed for 24 weeks.

He was also given a 10-year football banning order and ordered to pay £500 compensation to Sharp, £85 in costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

That match also saw another incident with Sharp's team-mate Oli McBurnie appearing to stamp on a fan.

The Scottish international has been summoned to a meeting with Nottinghamshire Police and risks being arrested if he does not attend.

Thousands of fans invaded the Goodison Park pitch after Calvert-Lewin's dramatic late winner kept Everton in the Premier League.

Visitors Palace had lead 2-0 at half-time after goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew.

But Everton pulled off a dramatic second-half turnaround as Michael Keane and Richarlison scored before the late winner sparked pandemonium and the unsavoury scenes.