A MAN has been charged by police after a smoke grenade was thrown onto the pitch during Saints’ FA Cup clash with Chelsea.

As reported, four smoke bombs were let off by away supporters as their side came from behind to beat Nigel Adkins’ men 5-1 at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday, and one man was arrested at the game.

Police said today they have now charged Cian Murphy with two offences in relation to the incident.

The 22-year-old, from Leatherhead, Surrey, has been released on bail until February 4, when he is due before Southampton Magistrates’ Court to answer charges of throwing a missile onto a football playing area, and possession of a firework.

In a separate incident during the game, a man in his 30s was left needing adhesive stitches in his head after being hit by what is thought to have been a bottle thrown from the stands.

The victim, who is from Poole, Dorset, was walking up the stairs in the Itchen Stand when he was struck by the missile.

He was treated for his injuries in the medical room at St Mary’s.

It is not yet known where the bottle was thrown from, and no one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Officers are looking through CCTV footage from inside the ground in a bid to find the person responsible, but are appealing for anyone who saw something being thrown from the Itchen or Northam stands to contact Southampton Central Police Station.