Police praised Southend United fans for their restraint following claims of racial abuse from Tottenham Hotspur supporters during the teams' FA Cup clash.

Blues striker Freddie Eastwood was the target of racist chants relating to his background as a traveller.

Spurs fans also verbally attacked Southend United supporters by singing the chant "town full of pikeys" repeatedly.

Despite the severe provocation, only six Blues fans were arrested during the game out of more than 5,000 who attended.

Det Con Dick Spooner, of Southend police, said: "We would like to congratulate the Southend supporters for the way they conducted themselves at the Tottenham match on Saturday.

"Apart from the few that were arrested, it must be said the supporters were a credit not only to Southend United, but to the town for the way they behaved.

"There was a lot of banter and goading from Tottenham supporters from either side of them. The Southend fans did not rise to it and, on the whole, behaved impeccably."

Blues fan Nick Green, 18, of Springwater Drive, Eastwood, said: "We played Spurs previously and it was a lot worse than last time.

"They were shouting pikey', especially at Freddie Eastwood.

"It got quite confrontational at one point. There was hardly any segregation and fans got chucked out from both sides."

Southend fans also complained about the forceful approach employed by Tottenham stewards.

Mr Green said: "They were very tough on the Southend fans, even for the smallest things. Even when fans were trying to take pictures on their mobile phones, the stewards were in their face saying stop it or get out."

Southend United spokesman David Scriven confirmed police were looking into claims of racial abuse and said the club took a no-nonsence approach to racism.

He said: "If people are convicted of racist chanting they would not be welcome at Roots Hall."

Reports of Southend United fans directing racial insults towards Spurs's supporters - a club traditionally with links to the Jewish community - are also being investigated.

No one was available for comment from Tottenham Hotspur Football Club yesterday.