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Fan punches horse after Pompey vs. Saints

A man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after a horse appeared to be punched during crowd disturbances before and after Southampton's 4-0 win at Portsmouth on Tuesday evening (stream the replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.). 

Premier League side Southampton have a long-standing rivalry with League One Portsmouth and tensions were high ahead of the Carabao Cup third round match at Fratton Park.

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A statement from Hampshire Constabulary read: "We can confirm that we made five arrests. A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and attempted criminal damage. He remains in custody at this time."

Danny Ings scored twice while Cedric Soares and Nathan Redmond also netted in the first meeting between the sides since 2012.

The Southampton Echo reported that coins, bottles and smoke grenades were thrown outside the ground despite Hampshire Constabulary having prepared for their largest ever football-related operation in the county.

Officers from Kent and Thames Valley were called in for the game in which police used helicopters, drones, dogs and horses in an attempt to contain crowd trouble.

In 2013, a Newcastle fan was jailed for 12 months and banned from attending football matches for six years after he punched a police horse following a 3-0 defeat to Sunderland at St James' Park. 

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