Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has empathy for Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier over his fans clash this week.

Police are understood to be probing the incident which saw Dier approach a supporter who was allegedly arguing with his brother during the FA Cup defeat to Norwich City. Cops are also investigating abuse aimed at Jesse Lingard following Manchester United's fifth-round victory at Derby on Thursday.

"I didn't see Lingard, but I thought it was a pretty natural reaction from Eric Dier," said the Chelsea manager.

"I think if you asked the man or woman in the street, if one of your family members needed protection, your natural reaction would be to go there.

"Because we are in the sport that we are in, I thought Jose Mourinho said it pretty well afterwards, you are not supposed to, not allowed to as such.

"But when you talk about natural reactions, I understand it, particularly with a family member.

"I didn't see anything go beyond slightly heated, which is a good thing, so we will see how it is dealt with.

"But I think it should be understood that if Eric Dier saw his brother in a situation, then I understand his thought process."

Asked if abuse towards players in football is increasing, Lampard continued: "In the stadiums? No. I think it's what it was. I took some abuse over the years, I have seen team-mates take abuse.

"I know some of my family members and friends that have been in earshot of abuse, so I don't think it has changed.

"I think players should be given a lot of credit sometimes that they hold themselves in certain moments."